Purpose

<h1>Chapter One</h1> <h3>Poor Choices</h3> <% window.story.state.chapter = "Chapter1"; window.story.delayedText(2000, "one", 0); window.story.delayedText(3000, "two", 0); window.story.delayedText(4000, "three", 0); window.story.delayedText(5000, "four"); %> <div-#one>Go.</div> <div-#two>Run.</div> <div-#three>Hide.</div> <div-#four> That is what's repeating in my head, over and over, as I’m hobbling along this sidewalk, out in the open, blood dripping from my left leg. In my 20 years on this earth I have never done anything more stupid than that; I should know better, I do know better... but I slipped up, and it nearly got me killed. [[[Continue limping]|C1P2]] </div>

I continue to limp down the sidewalk, I'm not feeling too good. The adrenaline must be wearing off, I'm starting to get dizzy. Might be blood loss, might be nerves; regardless, I need to get off the street. [[[Look around]|C1P3]]

I look around, there are a few houses dotted along either side of the suburban street; with my previous encounter still fresh in my mind, I'm not too keen to go back into one, but I don't have much of a choice. [[[Head to the closest house]|C1P4]]

I B-line it for the nearest house, it has a decent brick wall surrounding it; that'll do, it should be enough to keep the walkers out for now. I hop over the wall and land in the back garden, if you could still call it that with how overgrown it is. The garden has walls on three sides, and a house on the fourth side. It has a few trees, some with large roots, and a few overgrown flowerbeds; other than that, there's not much here. The house is two stories, with the ground floor having a roofed patio, and the top floor a large circular window. Getting closer, I can see two ways I might be able to get in: the back door, or a window around the side of the house. [[[Go to the window]|C1P5V2]]<br> [[[Go to the back door]|C1P5V1]]

<% if (!window.passage.tried) { %> I go up the patio steps and head to the back door, it's a large, sturdy-looking wooden door. I look down, there's a doormat that reads "COME BACK WHEN YOU HAVE TACOS & BOOZE", I smirk; yeah, I wish. Looking around the patio, there's nothing much here, just a few dead potted plants, and some crusty old shoes. <% } else { %> I go back up the patio steps and head to the back door. <% } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Door entry options") %> <% window.passage.tried = true %>

<% if (!window.passage.tried) { %> As I limp up to the window, I can see it has been partially boarded up. The boards look old and rotted, and it doesn't look like they were put up very well in the first place. I shouldn't have any trouble pulling them off. <% } else { %> I limp back to the boarded-up window. <% } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Window entry options") %> <% window.passage.tried = true %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Knocked"); window.story.delayedText(3000); _.delay(function() { window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "Knocked", "Knock, knock", "Who's *there?*"); }, 3000); %> I knock and wait... <div-#delayed> Yeah, well, it was worth a try I guess? <%= window.story.customRender("F: Door entry options") %> </div>

<% if (!window.passage.tried) { %> I try the door handle: locked... shit. Well, on the bright side that might mean this place hasn't been looted yet. That's only good to me if I can get inside though. <% } else { %> Still locked. I need to find a way into this place and fast. <% } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Door entry options") %> <% window.passage.tried = true %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Kicked") %> I muster what little strength I have left, and kick the door with my good leg. The door shuddered but didn't open. That was pretty loud too. Well, I've committed to this now, so I might as well kick it again, what the hell. I take a breath, pause, then kick the door with all my strength. I lose my balance and fall backward, sliding down the patio steps, landing directly on my leg wound, <%= window.story.customRender("F: Mother Comments") %>, but, at least the door opened. I lie there for a moment while the pain subsides. [[[Get up, and go inside]|C1P6]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "LookedIn"); if (!window.passage.tried) { %> I place my head against the window; the cold glass provides a refreshing moment of relief... Then I open my eyes. It's dim inside, but I can make out some cupboards, a sink, and what I think is an ironing board; must be a laundry room. Nothing of particular interest sticks out, I can see where the back door enters, it doesn't appear to be blocked by anything. I can also see another door, it must lead to the next room, it's closed. <% } else { %> It's still too dark inside properly. It looks like a laundry room maybe? <% } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Window entry options") %> <% window.passage.tried = true %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Kicked", false) %> I grab the board with both hands and pull hard. Too hard. The board comes right off, pulling bits of the moldy window frame it was nailed to with it. I fall backward, and narrowly avoid hitting my head on a large tree root. I did, however, manage to land directly on my leg wound. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Mother Comments") %>. [[[Get up, and go to the window]|C1P5V221]]

<% window.story.delayedText(2000, "delayed", 5000) %> <div-#delayed> The choices you make have an impact on the story. <% if (window.story.saving) print("A notification will appear each time the game saves; the game saves every few passages. If you refresh or close the game, you will be able to pick up from the passage the game last showed a save notification at. <a.normalLink onclick=\"window.story.exampleSave()\">Click here</a> to view an example save notification.") %> This game has no sound; <a.normalLink href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rn3_ZaG678" target="_blank">click here</a> for suggested, optional background music. [[Start Game|C1P1]]

Looking at the window, there's just enough room to squeeze through, one problem though: the glass is still intact. Normally I'd be looking for a more tasteful way to get in, but that fall knocked my last bit of "taste" out of me. I'm getting pretty dizzy now, things are starting to get blurry; not good. I need, to get inside, now. I look around, I see a small rock I could use to break the glass... or, I could use my elbow. The rock would lower my chances of cutting myself, but my elbow might be quieter. [[[Use elbow]|C1P5V2211]]<br> [[[Use the rock]|C1P5V2212]]

I pick up the rock and throw it at the glass. The glass bursts into shinny dust, and lo and behold, it made a lot of noise. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Here goes nothing") %>

This is probably a bad idea, but what the hell. I bunch up my sleeve for extra padding, brace my elbow, then push. The glass was not very strong and gave way easily, but the bits of broken glass hitting the floor inside was still loud. I pull my arm back, looks like I tore my sleeve a little bit, but didn't cut myself. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Here goes nothing") %>

<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Kicked")) { %> I get up, walk back up the patio steps, then go through and close the door behind me. Looks like I've busted the lock though, I'll need something to stop the door swinging open. I look down and see a small doorstop, perfect. It won't stop anything from getting in, but it will stop the door from flapping in the breeze. Between the kicking and the fall, I'm feeling very dizzy. <% } else { %> I crawl through the window, making sure not to touch any of the broken glass as I get up. The window is pretty small, I was only just able to fit; I doubt a walker would be smart enough to get in, and if a human wanted to get in, well, they could always use the door. <% } %> I wait a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dark, then I look around the room. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "LookedIn")) { print("It is definitely") } else { print("Looks like") } %> a laundry room, there's a washing machine and dryer in the corner, and an ironing board propped up against one of the walls. The room looks safe for now. Now that I'm inside, I need to deal with my leg; to do that, I'm going to need some supplies: - something to clean the wound - something to bandage my leg with I could also use a weapon... I left my knife in that guy's head, so I won't be getting that back any time soon. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Search options") %>

<% if (window.passage.name != "C1P7V1"){ window.passage.tried = true; } if ( window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Soap") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Tape") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Tap") ) { window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Sink") } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Sink")) { if (!window.passage.tried) { %> I limp over to the sink and take a look. There's a crusty old soap bar sitting next to the tap... I don't think that's going to do me any good. There's also a shelf under the sink. <% } else { %> I wonder if there's anything else around here I can use. <% } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Soap")) { print("[[[Take the soap bar]|C1P7V11]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Tape")) { print("[[[Look under the sink]|C1P7V12]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Tap")) { print("[[[Try turning on the tap]|C1P7V13]]<br>"); } } else { %> Nothing else around the sink. <% } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Search options") %> <% window.passage.tried = true %>

<% if (!window.passage.tried) { %> I walk over to the cupboards and open them. They have lots of old chemical bottles and cleaning supplies, but, I do find some "Hospital Grade" disinfectant; looks like a cheap home brand bottle, but it's better than nothing. I'm pretty sure this is meant to be used on floors and furniture, but, it will definitely do, considering the circumstances. <% } else { %> I take another look, but all I find are some old chemicals and cleaning supplies<% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Disinfectant")) print(", nothing useful except maybe that disinfectant") %>. <% } %> <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Disinfectant")) { print("[[[Take the disinfectant]|C1P7V31]]<br>"); } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Search options") %> <% window.passage.tried = true %>

<% if (!window.passage.tried) { %> I get up to the washing machine and dryer; they look old and dusty, but otherwise in good shape. I remember when I use to have to do my laundry... feels like a lifetime ago now. <% } else { %> Honestly surprising how good shape these things are still in. <% } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Dryer")) { print("[[[Search the dryer]|C1P7V22]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Washer")) { print("[[[Search the washing machine]|C1P7V21]]<br>"); } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Search options") %> <% window.passage.tried = true %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Soap"); window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "Soap", "Nothing wasted", "You never know when it will come in handy!"); %> With a bit of effort, I separate the soap from the bench. It's hard as a rock... <%= window.story.customRender("C1P7V1") %>

<% if (!window.passage.tried) { %> I look in the cabinet under the sink- Bingo! There's some duck tape; that's always useful. <% } else { %> Still just the duck tape, not a bad find. <% } %> [[[Take the duck tape]|C1P7V121]]<br> [[[Return to the sink]|C1P7V1]] <% window.passage.tried = true %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Tap"); window.story.delayedText(2000); %> I turn on the tap. <div-#delayed> Nothing: that would have been too good to be true. <%= window.story.customRender("C1P7V1") %> </div>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Tape") %> I pick up the duck tape. <%= window.story.customRender("C1P7V1") %>

<% let itemsCollected = 0; for (const [item, value] of window.story.getChoices("Chapter1")) { switch (item) { case "Tape": if (value) itemsCollected++; break; case "Disinfectant": if (value) itemsCollected++; break; case "Shirt": if (value) itemsCollected++; break; } } const found = itemsCollected === 1 ? "I found one useful thing" : itemsCollected === 2 ? "I found two useful things" : itemsCollected === 3 ? "I found a handful of useful things" : "I didn't find anything"; window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "ItemsCollected", itemsCollected); window.story.delayedText(10000); %> <% print(found) %>, but that's enough searching; my head is pounding now. I've pushed myself too far, but I didn't have much of a choice did I? I just need... I need to... um, shit, come on Sarah, stay with it. <div#delayed style="Display: None"> I just need to sit down, for a few minutes... catch my breath... [[[Colapse and pass out]|C1P8R1]] </div>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Cupboards"); window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Disinfectant"); %> I pick up the disinfectant. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Search options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Washer") %> I open the washing machine: whole lotta nothin. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Dryer")) { print("[[[Search the dryer]|C1P7V22]]<br>"); } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Search options") %> <% if ( window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Washer") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Dryer") ) { window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "WandD"); } %>

<% if (!window.passage.tried) { %> I open the dryer- Jackpot! A 'clean' white shirt, I can use this as a bandage; looks like it has been sitting in here for years, but the closed dryer door did a good job of keeping it clean. <% } else { %> Still just that one white shirt in the dryer. <% } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Shirt")) { print("[[[Take the shirt]|C1P7V221]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Washer")) { print("[[[Search the washing machine]|C1P7V21]]<br>"); } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Search options") %> <% if ( window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Washer") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Dryer") ) { window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "WandD"); } window.passage.tried = true; %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Dryer"); window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Shirt"); %> I take out the white shirt. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Washer")) { print("[[[Search the washing machine]|C1P7V21]]<br>"); } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Search options") %> <% if ( window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Washer") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Dryer") ) { window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "WandD"); } %>

<i> "Sarah? Get up, it's half past one in the afternoon!", a woman shouts. </i> [[...|C1P9V2]]<br> [[No, fuck off|C1P9V3]]<br> [[It's too cold|C1P9V1]]

<i> \*Knock knock\* There's someone at the door. "Go away", I say, as someone opens the door. "Sis? Come on, get up. You said you'd show me where your new job is, remember?", a young girl's voice says. </i> [[...|C1P11V2]]<br> [[I don't care|C1P11V1]]<br> [[Ask me tomorrow|C1P11V3]]

<i> They're right up close to my face now, I can feel their breathing. "If you don't get up, you'll die", the girl says in a low monotone voice. "What the fuck", I whisper as I roll over and open my eyes. My sister is right there, inches from my face, staring. But, something is wrong: her eyes, they're like two little pinpricks burning into my soul. "Get off me Sophia", I say as I try to move here; but I can't, I don't have the strength. She's like a dead weight on my chest. "We can be together, forever: just let go.", Sophia says, her hazel eyes still locked with mine. </i> [[...|C1P13R1]]<br> [[No, Sophia!|C1P13R1]]<br> [[Sophia, please!|C1P13R1]]

"Woah Woah, hey, relax, it's alright, you're safe... you're safe", a woman's voice says, different from the one before. I try to open my eyes, but they're so heavy: it's blurry, and I can't see properly. I can make out a face, it's close to me, but, it's not Sophia's. "Just relax, everything's going to be alright", the woman says in a soothing voice. I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Soph... Sophia... I couldn't... I- I tried..." I manage to sputter, but everything's going dark... I don't have the strength... [[[Pass out]|C1P14R1]]

I wake with a jolt. I look around, I don't recognize where I am. I'm laying down on a sofa, it smells terrible... actually, that might be me. The room is dark; it's evening perhaps? I'm in some kind of living room, there's another sofa across from me, an armchair, and a coffee table in the middle of the room. There's a TV and cabinet on one wall, a window on another, and doors on the other two. I raise my arm to my head and- What the hell? There's something sticking into my hand, and there's a tube attached; I follow it with my eyes to a bag of clear fluid hanging from what looks like an old hat hanger. Where the hell am I, and what the fuck is in my arm?! [[[Leave it alone]|C1P15V1]]<br> [[[Try ripping it out]|C1P15V2]]<br> [[[Try disconnecting the tubing]|C1P15V3]]

<i> "It's too cold... and my bed is so warm", I mumble back. </i> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Stay in bed") %>

<% window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "Filter", "No Filter", "Speaking your mind, *even when you shouldn't.*") %> <i> "Fuck off, I'll stay in bed as long as I want!", I whine back. "Watch that tone young woman or you'll be sleeping outside!", the woman's voice snaps back. </i> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Stay in bed") %>

<i> I groan and rollover. "Pleeease can you take me today? It sounds so cool!", the girl says. \*Creak, creak\* Someone is climbing onto my bed; they're crawling up towards me. I swear, if she gives me a wet willie, I will body slam her; I don't care if she's a minor. </i> [[[Brace for impact]|C1P13]]

<i> "I don't care", I grumble. "I'll show you another day", I say as I rub my leg, it's a bit sore. "You keep saying that though!", the girl says. "I said no, now get lost", I groan. </i> [[[Rollover]|C1P12]]

<i> "Not today", I grumble. "Remind me tomorrow", I say as I rub my leg, it's a bit sore. "That's what you said yesterday though!", the girl says. "And I'll probably say the same thing tomorrow", I groan under my breath. </i> [[[Rollover]|C1P12]]

<% window.story.redirect("C1P14", 3) %>

<% window.story.redirect("C1P15", 7) %>

I had better not touch it; I don't need another injury. Speaking of which, I had better check my leg. I carefully lean forward and inspect my leg. Someone has bandaged it properly... [[[Inspect the dressing]|C1P16]]

I don't what this thing is, who put it in me, or what that fluid is, but I know it's not good. This will probably hurt, so I'm better off just pulling it out quickly. Alright, deep breath, you can do this... you can do this. [[[Pull it out]|C1P16]]

I don't really want to touch the thing sticking in my hand, but I must be able to disconnect this tubing. Taking a closer look, I think I can just unscrew it at the part where the tubing connects with the thing in my arm. Worth a shot, here goes nothing. [[[Disconnect the tubbing]|C1P16]]

\*Creek\* I freeze for a moment, then look behind me: there's a closed door, but I can see a shadow underneath- someone's standing on the other side. [[...|C1P16V2]]<br> [[I'm armed, back off! [Lie]|C1P16V1]]<br> [[Who are you? Show yourself!|C1P16V3]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing2") %> My eyes are locked on the shadow, watching, waiting for it to move. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Meeting Tiffany") %>

"I have a weapon, stay away, or I'll kill you!", I shout. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Meeting Tiffany") %>

"Who are you, what have you done to me? Show yourself!", I shout. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Meeting Tiffany") %>

I wince and refrain from shouting several words and I'm sure my mother would kill me if she heard

I carefully push out bits of glass still left attached to the frame, and take one last look inside... well shit, here goes nothing. [[[Climb in the window]|C1P6]]

<% const passageName = window.passage.name; if (!passageName.startsWith("C1P7V1")) { print("[[[Search the sink]|C1P7V1]]<br>"); } if (!passageName.startsWith("C1P7V3")) { print("[[[Search the cupboards]|C1P7V3]]<br>"); } if (!passageName.startsWith("C1P7V2")) { print("[[[Search the washing machine and dryer]|C1P7V2]]<br>") } %> [[[Leave the laundry room]|C1P8]]

<% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Knocked")) { print("[[[Knock on the door]|C1P5V11]]<br>"); } if (window.passage.name != "C1P5V12") { print("[[[Try the door handle]|C1P5V12]]<br>"); } %> [[[Go back to the window]|C1P5V2]]<br> [[[Try kicking the door in]|C1P5V13]]

<% const currentPassage = window.passage.name %> [[[Go back to the door]|C1P5V1]]<br> <% if (currentPassage != "C1P5V21") print("[[[Look inside the house]|C1P5V21]]<br>") %> [[[Try pulling the lowest board off]|C15V22]]

<% window.story.redirect("C1P9") %>

The door is starting to open slowly, I tense up ready to fight. The door is open far enough now that I can see a person, a very small person: a child, a girl. She can't be more than 7 or 8 years old... I can just make out shoulder-length blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a dark blue dress with white dots. Our eyes meet and we stare at each other for a moment, there's not a hint of fear in her eyes, just pure curiosity. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Meeting Tiffany options") %>

<% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing3")) { print("She doesn't reply, she's just staring..."); } %> "Tiffany!", a woman says somewhere behind her. The curiosity in her eyes is quickly replaced by panic, and the door snaps shut. I hear footsteps behind the door and muffled voices. I was ready to fight my way out of here, but, now I'm not sure what to do. [[[Wait]|C1P18]]

[[...|C1P17V2]]<br> [[Hello there?|C1P17V1]]<br> [[What's your name?|C1P17V3]]

<% window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "HelloThere", "Hello There", "General Kenobi... you are a bold one.") %> "Hello there", I say cautiously. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiffany bad girl") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing3") %> I stare into her eyes for a moment longer. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiffany bad girl") %>

"What's your name?" I say cautiously. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiffany bad girl") %>

The voices stop, there are more footsteps- The door is opening. A woman steps through. She has brown hair done up in a bun, soft brown eyes, is wearing cargo pants and a t-shirt, and is in her mid-30s if I had to guess. She has a sort of weathered look about her. She notices I am looking her over. "Sizing me up are you?", she asks. [[...|C1P18V2]]<br> [[Yeah|C1P18V1]]<br> [[Why would I be?|C1P18V3]]

"Yeah, I am", I say while keeping eye contact. "How am I fairing?", the woman replies. [[...|C1P18V12]]<br> [[A threat|C1P18V11]]<br> [[Not a threat|C1P18V13]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing4") %> Well, she's caught me, no point stopping I suppose. I continue to look her over; she doesn't seem bothered by it. She's still standing in the doorway. <%= window.story.customRender("F: My name is Lucy") %>

"Why would I be doing a thing like that I wonder?", I remark sarcastically. "Hmm, I don't know; maybe it has something to do with waking up on a stranger couch?", the woman replies without missing a beat. "Could be...", I say back. <%= window.story.customRender("F: My name is Lucy") %>

I stare for a moment longer, then shrug. The lady gives me a half-smile. <%= window.story.customRender("F: My name is Lucy") %>

"You're definitely a threat: I don't know you", I say. "Cautious; not a bad trait to have these days.", she replies. <%= window.story.customRender("F: My name is Lucy") %>

"You're not a threat: if you wanted to kill me, you'd have done it while I was passed out", I say. "Good point, but what if I wanted you to be awake when I killed you?", she asks. I stare back at her, unsure how to reply. <%= window.story.customRender("F: My name is Lucy") %>

She steps through the door and closes it behind her. "My name is Lucy, and it seems you've already met my daughter, Tiffany", Lucy says. "I'd welcome you to our home, but the broken <% window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Kicked") ? print("back door") : print("window") %> suggests you already helped yourself", Lucy says as she folds her arms. Guess that explains where I am. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Knocked")) { print("[[...|C1P19V2]]<br>"); } %> [[Sorry|C1P19V1]]<br> [[I had no choice|C1P19V3]]<br> <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Knocked")) { print("[[I did knock|C1P19V4]]"); } %>

Protagonist - Sarah: - 20 years old - Brown eyes - Messy, short brown hair Dead Sister - Sophia: - 7 years old - Hazel eyes Young Girl - Tiffany: - 7 years old - Shoulder-length blonde hair - Bright blue eyes - Dark blue dress with white dots Mother - Lucy: - 34 years old - Brown hair, done up in a bun - Soft brown eyes - Cargo pants, t-shirt Stranger - Charles: - 27 years old - Long black hair in a ponytail - Light green eyes - Tall and skinny

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing5") %> Well, this is awkward... I maintain eye contact with her. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Anyway, since") %>

"Ah, right... sorry about that", I say as I awkwardly scratch the back of my head. "Don't sweat it, we only set up shop here a few days ago ourselves", Lucy remarks." <%= window.story.customRender("F: Anyway, since") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "NoChoice") %> "I didn't have much of a choice, if I stayed out there I would have been a meal for the walkers by the end of the day", I remark. "That is true, you really weren't in great shape. That much I can attest to that", Lucy replies. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Anyway, since") %>

"I did try knocking before I came in", I remark. "Yeah, you did", Lucy chuckles. "I was half tempted to open the door just to see who was crazy enough to still knock these days", Lucy says. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Anyway, since") %>

Lucy takes a few more steps into the room and sits in an armchair across from me. "Anyway, since you went and collapsed in my laundry room, you left me with a difficult choice: put you outside, which I could tell just by looking at the state you were in would be a death sentence; kill you there and then, which would also, you know, be a death sentence; or bring you in and patch you up", Lucy says very casually. [[...|C1P20V2]]<br> [[Thanks|C1P20V1]]<br> [[Should have let me die|C1P20V3]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing6") %> I continue to stare at Lucy. <%= window.story.customRender("F: I used your stuff") %>

"Thanks for choosing option number three, I think", I reply cautiously. <%= window.story.customRender("F: I used your stuff") %>

"You should have left me to die", I state. "Oh, and why's that?", Lucy asks. "That's what I would have done in your position. Supplies are scarce these days, I was in pretty bad shape, and I was, and still am, a stranger. For all you know, I could have got hurt breaking into someone else's house, just like I did yours", I state matter-of-factly. "Good point, I guess I'm just too trusting", Lucy replies. <%= window.story.customRender("F: I used your stuff") %>

"Yup. It's called a cannula, and that bag it's connected to, is just salty water", Lucy explains. "You're lucky that you broke into the one house around here with a nurse in it, albeit an ill-supplied nurse", Lucy chuckles. Lucy pauses, then sits forward in her chair. "Speaking of injuries, how *did* you manage to get yourself so banged up anyway?", Lucy asks as she gestures to my leg. [[[Tell Lucy the Truth]|C1P22V1]][[[Lie to Lucy]|C1P22V2]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Lied", false) %> "I killed a man", I state. Lucy sits there for a moment, then her slight smile drops as she realizes I wasn't joking. She pauses for a moment. "Did he deserve it?", she asks. [[...|C1P22V12]]<br> [[Yes, it was unprovoked|C1P22V11]]<br> [[No, wrong place wrong time|C1P22V13]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Lied") %> "I cut myself climbing a fence", I say; I'm not good at lying. "Uh-huh", Lucy says, clearly unconvinced. "Must have been a hellova fence", she adds. [[Yeah|C1P22V21]]<br> [[It was|C1P22V22]]<br> [[Biggest ever|C1P22V23]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing1") %> <i> I couldn't care less... </i> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Stay in bed") %>

Game & Infrastructure - Christopher "Inferno" M.<br> <a href="https://purpose-game.com" target="_blank">https://purpose-game.com</a><br><br> Artwork - Daniel "DanDarkDesigns" Ayala<br> <a href="https://www.artstation.com/darkcan" target="_blank">https://www.artstation.com/darkcan</a> Dead Font Walking Font - Allison James<br> <a href="https://www.1001fonts.com/dead-font-walking-font.html" target="_blank">https://www.1001fonts.com/dead-font-walking-font.html</a> Ragged CSS Edges - Tymn Urban & Stephen Melvin<br> <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/a/47085434" target="_blank">https://stackoverflow.com/a/47085434</a> SimpleNotification - Glagan & Contributors<br> <a href="https://github.com/Glagan/SimpleNotification" target="_blank">https://github.com/Glagan/SimpleNotification</a> toggleFullscreen.js - demonixis<br> <a href="https://gist.github.com/demonixis/5188326" target="_blank">https://gist.github.com/demonixis/5188326</a> jQuery - OpenJS Foundation & Contributors<br> <a href="https://jquery.com/" target="_blank">https://jquery.com/</a> Snowman 2 - videlais & Contributors<br> <a href="https://github.com/videlais/snowman" target="_blank">https://github.com/videlais/snowman</a> Twine 2 - Twine and Twee<br> <a href="https://twinery.org/" target="_blank">https://twinery.org/</a>

[[[Stay in bed]|C1P11]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing7") %> I huff and ignore her. [[[Rollover]|C1P12]]

<% let verbal = true; if ( window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing1") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing2") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing3") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing4") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing5") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing6") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Nothing7") ) { verbal = false; window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "Nothing", "Silent Treatment", "You have the right to remain silent..."); } %> Lucy crosses her arms. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Disinfectant")) { %> "You know that disinfectant you had on you is for cleaning floors, right?", Lucy remarks. "Yeah I know, but it was all I could find. I couldn't exactly take myself down to the local chemist", I reply. "<% if (!verbal) { print("She does speak! "); verbal = true; } %>Well, good thing you had it because I was all out, and you would have had a nasty infection if I hadn't used it. Definitely shaved a few days off your recovery", Lucy says. <% } else { %> "I didn't have anything to properly clean that wound with, so you developed a nasty infection for a little while there. It resolved within a few days though", Lucy says. <% } %> <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Soap")) { %> "Also, what the hell was the soap bar for?", Lucy adds. <% } %> "Hold on, *Days?!*", I exclaim. "<% if (!verbal) print("She does speak! ") %>Oh yeah, you had one foot in the grave. That's why I had to give you IV fluids, couldn't have you dying of dehydration on me after all the effort I put into *not* killing you", Lucy states calmly. [[[Raise arm]|C1P21V2]]<br> [[Like in Hospital?|C1P21V3]]<br> [[The thing in my arm?|C1P21V1]]

I raise my arm with the thing sticking out of it. <%= window.story.customRender("F: How did you?") %>

"Is that what this thing sticking in my arm is for?", I enquire. <%= window.story.customRender("F: How did you?") %>

"Oh, like when you're in the hospital?", I enquire. <%= window.story.customRender("F: How did you?") %>

I look down for a moment, then back at Lucy. But I think that's all she needed to see. "I'll take that as a no then", Lucy says in a flat tone. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Picking fights") %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Dying action") %>

"Yes, definitely. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Basement") %> "I didn't mean to walk into his place, he could have just asked me to leave, or tried to talk to me, or something, but instead, he saw a *defenseless little girl*, and tried to kill me. So yeah, it was self-defense. The prick had it coming", I say passionately. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Dying action") %>

"No, it was a bad case of wrong place, wrong time. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Basement") %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Picking fights") %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Dying action") %>

I was going house by house, scavenging what I could. I went into this one place, started poking around, but I got sloppy, didn't clear the place fully before I started going through it. He was in the basement, and we bumped into each other on the stairs. We looked at each other for a moment, then he came at me with a hacksaw", I explain. "So it was self-defense", Lucy says, sounding unconvinced.

"I wasn't trying to pick a fight, hell, I wasn't even trying to find people, I was just looking for food, like everyone else these days. Yes, I was in this guy's house and he probably had the right to defend himself, but I possed no threat to him, and he attacked first... after he came at me, it was me or him", I try to justify.

Lucy's expression hasn't changed much, she looks a little tenser though. "Anyway, to put a long story short, I got the upper hand, put him on the floor, and got on top of him, then I plunged my knife deep into the side of his neck. I thought it was over, so I let go... the last thing he did on this earth, was pull that knife out of his neck, and put it in my leg", I explain. "I was so surprised, it took me a moment to process what had just happened, and, before I'd even had time to do anything about it, he turned! The walker grabbed me, and I didn't have anything else at hand, so I pulled the same stunt he did: yanked the knife out of my leg, and put it in his fucking head", I say. "Language", Lucy snaps. [[...|C1P23V2]]<br> [[What...?|C1P23V1]]<br> [[Seriously?|C1P23V3]]

I give her my best 'What the Fuck' look. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Habit") %>

"What...?", I say, confused. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Habit") %>

"Seriously? I just told you I killed a guy and you're worried about my use of the F-Bomb?", I say, confuzzled. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Habit") %>

"Sorry, habit. I don't like Tiffany swearing... she's too young", Lucy says apologetically. We look at each other for a few moments. "Speaking of names, I never caught yours", Lucy remarks. "It's Sarah", I say. "Sarah... that's a nice name", Lucy trails off. We sit in silence for a moment. [[She must mean a lot to you|C1P24]]

- Tiffany gets hurt and you use the ducktape and or white shirt to bandage the wound up. If you don't have it or don't use it, Tiff passes out and you carry her, if you do, she spots someone or something useful. - Tiff makes fun of/questions why Sophia gave up, make you angry - If did not tell Tiff to eat, she gets hungry - Leg wound ~~has affect when running~~ becomes persistent, relay more on Tiffany - Revist "Purpose" - 7 Stages of Grief for Tiffany https://i.redd.it/7zs3hv8ryrh51.jpg - Dog companion that carries stuff - Tiff gets sick/a chill from being in the rain - Next flashback is Sarah with Baby Sophia trying to stop her crying in cot

"She must mean a lot to you", I say. "She means everything to me", Lucy replies, not missing a beat. We both sit quietly for a moment. [[Tell me about Tiff|C1P25]]

I was trying to get away from a pack of walkers, got cornered, and had to climb it, but it had wire on top of it. Wasn't fun, but I didn't have a choice", I say, trying to sound convincing. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "NoChoice")) { window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "NoChoice", "Broken Record", "You need some new material."); %> "Seems to be a running theme with you", Lucy remarks. <% } %> Lucy sighs. "Look, kid- What's your name?", Lucy asks. [[Sarah|C1P23V4]]

"Oh it was. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Got cornered") %>

"Yeah, hellova fence. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Got cornered") %>

"It was crazy, the biggest fence I'd ever seen. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Got cornered") %>

"It's Sarah", I say. No point in giving a fake name, I'd probably just forget it anyway. "Ok, Sarah, before the world went to hell in a handbasket, I was Wound Care Nurse for 9 years, so I know my cuts pretty well, well enough to know you're full of shit", Lucy states. Oh boy, not good. "I don't really care about how you hurt your leg, if you want to keep that to yourself, that's fine. Only one thing matters to me, and she's likely standing on the other side of that door listening right now, so, be straight with me: are you going to do something to get my little girl hurt? Because if the answer is yes... ", Lucy says, as she pulls a knife out from behind her back and rests it on her legs. It looks like an old kitchen knife. "I'll just kill you now, save us both the hassle", she finishes in a monotone voice. The air is tense, we stare at each other for a moment. [[She must mean a lot to you|C1P24]]

"Tell me about Tiff", I say<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Lied")) print(", trying to change the subject") %>. "Tiff*any* is the only good thing left in this world", Lucy remarks. She pauses for a moment. "How about a trade. I'll tell you about Tiffany... if you...", Lucy trails off. [[...|C1P25V2]]<br> [[Go on...|C1P25V1]]<br> [[If I what?|C1P25V3]]

<img.titleImage> <div#titleButton> [[Play Game|Save Options]] [[Extras|Extras]] [[Settings|Global Settings]] [[Credits|Global Credits]] </div>

Lucy pauses again, then looks at me with an almost apologetic look. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tell me about Sophia") %>

"Go on...", I say uncertainly. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tell me about Sophia") %>

"If I what?", I ask. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tell me about Sophia") %>

Lucy takes a deep breath, what the hell is she about to say that has made her so uncomfortable all of a sudden? "Sophia", she finally says. "If you tell me who Sophia is", she says. [[[Pause in shock]|C1P26]]

menu: Title Screen/Menu/Miscellaneous player interaction stuff. save: Auto-save when player reaches this page. noFade: Do not fade this passage in when swapping passages, it will handle the transition itself. page: Passage is dedicated to telling part of the story. variation: Passage is a variation of a story page, as a result of a player choice. floater: Passage acts as a template to be included in other passages. redirect: Passage redirects to another passage after a given period of time. info: Passage is for developer reference, not for use in-game (directly). addition: Normal page or variation passage added after story was finished, saves reordering passages. No Tag: Temporary/Test page

I pause for a moment. It feels like she just slapped me across the face. Sophia, my little sister... how does she even know about her? Why does she want to know about her? "It's pretty clear she's important to you", Lucy says, interrupting my thoughts. "You want to know about what's important in my life, so it seems only fair you tell me about what's important in yours", she stipulates. I look at her with a mixture of emotions showing. "How... how do you know-", I start to say. "You were calling out to her, while you were under. You were on death's doorstep, and that's who was in your mind...", she explains. [[She's dead|C1P27V1]]<br> [[I loved her, very much|C1P27V2]]<br> [[She gave up a long time ago|C1P27V3]]

"She was my sister", I say in a quivering tone, with tears starting to form. I take a deep breath to center myself. "And she's dead", I finish. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Pain in her eyes") %>

"I loved-", I start to say, but my emotions flare up and I have to stop. I take a deep breath and wipe away the tears that are forming. "I loved my little sister, very, very much", I manage to get out. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Pain in her eyes") %>

"My little sister...", I trail off, as tears start to run down my face. I wipe away the tears and try again. "My little sister, gave up, a long time ago", I manage to get out. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Pain in her eyes") %>

Lucy looks at me; pain in her eyes. "How-", Lucy starts to say, but chocks up on her own emotions. "How old was she when...", she trails off. Why does she want to know that? Why is she pushing me for information? Can't she see this hurts me? Does she not care? I pause for a moment, then reply. "Seven", I say. Lucy puts her hand to her mouth, then looks towards the closed door on the other side of the room. The strong "I could kill you where you sit right now" woman from a few minutes ago is gone; replaced by... a mother. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Lied")) { %> I'm glace at her knife. Lucy notices, she looks down at it, then back at me. She puts it away back behind her back. <% } %> [[[Weep quietly]|C1P28]]

I quietly let my emotions run. It's been a long time since I've thought about her. We sit in silence for a few minutes, then without saying a word, Lucy gets up and leaves the room; leaving me alone with my consciousness. With Lucy gone, I don't have a reason to hold back anymore. I lay back on the sofa, and close my eyes. [[[Bawl eyes out]|C1P29]]

I begin to bawl. Raw, hard, tears. I never had the chance to properly mourn her, I was too busy focusing on my own survival, and for what? So I could die somewhere else another day? [[[Reflect on Sophia's death]|C1P30]]

<% window.story.delayedText(4000, "delayed", 3000) %> I think about her while I'm laying here. Maybe the reason I never dealt with her death, was because I was scared. Scared that I'd realize that I- <div-#delayed> I have nothing to live for. [[[Continue crying]|C1P31]] </div>

The tears continue to stream down my face. I had one job as a big sister: look after my little sister, and I failed horribly. How can I live with myself... how have I lived with myself? I'm exhausted... mentally and physically. [[[Reflect on near-death experience]|C1P32]]

I reflect on my near-death experience. Would it have been better if that guy had’ve killed me? I'm tired, I've had enough; what's even the point in living... [[I have no purpose|C1P33V1]] [[I need a new purpose|C1P33V2]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "NewPurpose", false) %> I have no purpose in life. What's the point in living at all? The world would be better off without me. People like that guy I killed can attest to that... [[[Cry yourself to sleep]|C1P33R1]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "NewPurpose") %> I need a new purpose in life. Something worth living for. Surviving by itself isn't good enough; it's an excuse. I need to atone for what I did. I can't bring Sophia back... but maybe I can find something good in this world to dedicate myself to, in her name. [[[Cry yourself to sleep]|C1P33R1]]

<% window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "RollCredits", "Roll Credits", "And that's a Sin.") window.story.redirect("C1P34", 7); %>

"Chapter1", "Knocked" - Knocked on the door to see if anyone was home "Chapter1", "Kicked" - Kicked the door in to get inside !"Chapter1", "Kicked" - Broke the window to get inside "Chapter1", "LookedIn" - Looked inside the house before entering "Chapter1", "Sink" - Searched the entire sink "Chapter1", "Soap" - Picked up the bar of old soap "Chapter1", "Tape" - Picked up the ducktape "Chapter1", "Tap" - Tried turning on the tap "Chapter1", "Cupboards" - Searched the entire cupboard "Chapter1", "Disinfectant" - Picked up the disinfectant "Chapter1", "Washer" - Searched the washing machine "Chapter1", "WandD" - Searched the washing and dryer "Chapter1", "Dryer" - Searched the dryer "Chapter1", "Shirt" - Picked up the white shirt "Chapter1", "Nothing1" - Said nothing to Mom when she said get out of bed "Chapter1", "Nothing7" - Said nothing to Sophia when she said get out of bed "Chapter1", "Nothing2" - Said nothing to the door when the shadow was behind it "Chapter1", "Nothing3" - Said nothing to Tiffany when she's at the door "Chapter1", "Nothing4" - Said nothing to Lucy when she asked if you were eyeing her up "Chapter1", "Nothing5" - Said nothing to Lucy when she mentioned you broke in "Chapter1", "NoChoice" - Say you had no choice when you broke it "Chapter1", "Nothing6" - Said nothing when Lucy mentions she saved you "Chapter1", "Lied" - Lied to Lucy about how you hurt your leg !"Chapter1", "Lied" - Told Lucy the truth about how you hurt your leg "Chapter1", "NewPurpose" - Told yourself you needed to find a new purpose in life !"Chapter1", "NewPurpose" - Told yourself you have no purpose in life and should kill yourself "Chapter1", "Laughed" - Had a good laugh "Chapter1", "Tiffany" - Called Tiffany, Tiffany !"Chapter1", "Tiffany" - Called Tiffany, Tiff "Chapter1", "Door2" - Looked at the other door in the room "Chapter1", "LivingWindow" - Looked at the window onto the street "Chapter1", "CoffeeTable" - Looked at the coffee table and got a craving "Chapter1", "Saline" - Looked at the bag of saline "Chapter1", "TVandC" - Looked at the TV and cabinet "Chapter1", "SpinningTop" - Picked up the spinning top "Chapter1", "Stairs" - Thought about going up the stairs "Chapter1", "Bathroom" - Went into the bathroom "Chapter1", "Frontdoor" - Looked at the frontdoor "Chapter1", "Haircut" - Gave yourself a haircut and took the scissors !"Chapter1", "Haircut" - Passed up the opportunity for a haircut "Chapter1", "Eating" - Telling Tiffany it's important to eat when you can "Chapter1", "TiffBackstory", "Dad" - Found out about Tiffany's dad "Chapter1", "TiffBackstory", "Lonely" - Found out Tiffany is lonely "Chapter1", "TiffBackstory", "Killing" - Found out Tiffany hasn't killed any walkers "Chapter1", "WillHelp" - Told Lucy people will help Tiffany in her time of need !"Chapter1", "WillHelp" - Told Lucy people will not help Tiffany in her time of need "Chapter1", "Protect" - Chose to protected Tiffany !"Chapter1", "Protect" - Chose to investigate the noise "Chapter1", "SaveStranger" - Went outside to save the stranger !"Chapter1", "SaveStranger" - Stayed inside and tried to keep the stranger out "Chapter1", "LucySavesStranger" - Lucy went outside to save the stranger !"Chapter1", "LucySavesStranger" - Lucy stayed inside and tried to keep the stranger out "Chapter1", "TriedToSaveLucy" - Tried to save Lucy, let Tiffany watch her mom die !"Chapter1", "TriedToSaveLucy" - Did as Lucy asked, took Tiffany and went "Chapter1", "StrangerDied" - Made decisions that resulted in the death of the stranger.

<img.titleImage> <%= window.story.customRender("Credits") %> [[Back|Title Screen]]

<i>"Sarah?"</i>, a voice says softly. I start to stir from my sleep. There's someone near my face again... Sophia back to haunt me? I squint, it's bright and my vision is blurry. There's a face, eyes, but... they're blue, very blue. [[[Rub eyes]|C1P35]]

I rub my eyes and open them again. "Sarah?", the voice says again. It's Tiffany. She's sitting on the coffee table, watching me. How does she know my name? Lucy must have told her... [[...|C1P35V2]]<br> [[Morning...?|C1P35V1]]<br> [[Lose something over here?|C1P35V3]]

I stare back at her for a moment. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Breakfast?") %>

"Um...", I start. My throat is still dry. I cough to clear it a little. "Good morning...?", I say, a hint of uncertainty in my voice. "Good morning!", she replies in a cherry, high pitch voice. "Did you sleep OK?", she asks. "Yeah, actually. Like a log", I reply. A slightly puzzled look appears across her face. "Logs don't sleep, they're not alive", she states. "No, I meant- Never mind", I say; it's too early to even try to explain. She shrugs. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Breakfast?") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Laughed") %> "Did you lose something over here?", I remark. A puzzled look appears on her face. "I don't think so", she replies in a high-pitched voice. I chuckle a little. The puzzled look intensifies. "What, what's funny?", she asks. "Nothing, nothing", I reply, holding back my laughter. She shakes her head. I can't remember the last time I laughed... <%= window.story.customRender("F: Breakfast?") %>

"Would you like some breakfast?", she asks, a hint of excitement in her voice. I'm starving, I hadn't had a proper meal for days before I got here, and who knows how long I've been on this sofa for. [[Yeah, thanks Tiff|C1P35R1]] [[Yeah, thanks Tiffany|C1P35R2]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Tiffany", false); window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "TiffanyName", "Tiff"); window.story.redirect("C1P36", 1); %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Tiffany"); window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "TiffanyName", "Tiffany"); window.story.redirect("C1P36", 1); %>

"Yeah, thanks <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %>", I say. Her face lights up with a smile. <% if (window.story.tiffany() === "Tiff") { print("I think she likes that nickname.") } %> "Come on then!", she says, jumping up from the table and heading for the door. "Hey, <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %>, wait!", I say, but she's already out the door by the time the words leave my mouth. I still have this thing in my arm, what did Lucy call it- a cannula, I think? The other door swings open, speak of the devil. Lucy walks in. "Morning, didn't think you'd be awake this early. How are you feeling?", she asks, closing the door behind her. [[Better|C1P36V1]]<br> [[I'll live|C1P36V2]]<br> [[Like shit|C1P36V3]]

"Better, actually", I say. "Good, those fluids did you the world of good", she replies. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Get that out") %>

"I'll live", I say. "Very presumptuous of you", Lucy says with a smirk. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Get that out") %>

"Like shit", I say. She takes a breath as if to say something, but stops then shakes her head. "Hmm, you haven't had anything to eat in days. Once you get some food in you you'll feel better. But first", she says. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Get that out") %>

Lucy points at my arm. "Let's get that out shall we?", she remarks. [[Yeah... sure|C1P37V1]]<br> [[Will it hurt?|C1P37V2]]<br> [[Can I keep it?|C1P37V3]]

"Uh, yeah... sure", I say uncertainly. Lucy comes over and gives me a reassuring look. "Don't worry, it will only take a second", she says. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Peel back") %>

"Will it, uh, hurt?", I ask uncertainly. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Lied")) { %> "No, not at all. Might feel a bit weird, but shouldn't hurt", she replies. <% } else { %> "Not as much as pulling a knife out, if that's what you're asking", she remarks, a grin on her face. I roll my eyes at her. <% } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Peel back") %>

"Can I keep it? Seems handy", I ask. "First off, was that a pun? And secondly, no, it'll just increase your chances of getting an infection", she replies. "Yeah, I guess that was", I say as I chuckle. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Laughed")) { window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Laughed"); %> I can't remember the last time I laughed... <% } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Peel back") %>

Lucy sits across from me on the coffee table, then puts her hand out and beckons me to give her my hand. I place my hand on hers. She peels back the tape and disconnects the tubbing. She reaches into the pockets of her cargo pants, takes out a ball of cotton wool, then in one smooth motion, swiftly and gently pulls out the cannula, and holds the cotton wool where it was inserted. [[Impressive|C1P38V1]]<br> [[[Cry out in fake pain]|C1P38V2]]<br> [[You've done that a few times|C1P38V3]]

"Impressive, I didn't feel a thing", I remark. Lucy smiles. "Thanks, I use to do these daily... I miss it sometimes", she replies. Her smile fades. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Breakfast time!") %>

<% window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "Drama", "Drama Queen", "You should have been an actor.") %> "Argh!", I exclaim. Lucy doesn't bother to move her head up, just her eyes. She gives me a look that says "Shut up", then looks away again. I thought it was pretty funny. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Breakfast time!") %>

"Clearly you've done that a few times before", I remark. "Oh yeah, once or twice", she replies. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Breakfast time!") %>

"Chapter1", "Knocked", "Knock, knock", "Who's *there?*" "Chapter1", "Soap", "Nothing wasted", "You never know when it will come in handy!" "Chapter1", "Filter", "No Filter", "Speaking your mind, *even when you shouldn't.*" "Chapter1", "HelloThere", "Hello There", "General Kenobi... you are a bold one." "Chapter1", "Nothing", "Silent Treatment", "You have the right to remain silent..." "Chapter1", "NoChoice", "Broken Record", "You need some new material." "Chapter1", "RollCredits", "Roll Credits", "And that's a Sin." "Chapter1", "Drama", "Drama Queen", "You should have been an actor." "Chapter1", "Walkers", "Walkers?", "What do you call the ones that run?" "Chapter1", "Nerve", "Struck a Nerve", "Found a touchy subject" "Chapter1", "Scorpion", "Scorpion", "*Get over here*"

Lucy reaches back into her pocket with her free hand and pulls out a roll of... something. It looks like tape, but fabric-like. "Alright, you're good to go", Lucy says, tearing a bit of tape off and using it to secure the cotton wool ball to my hand. "Let's get some food in you", she says as she gets up and heads towards the door. I slowly get up off the sofa. "Through here and down this hallway, when you're ready", Lucy says as she reaches the door, then goes through it, leaving me alone. That sounded like an invitation to have a look around. I stand up- Woah, my left leg is, like, stiff? It feels kinda like when you sit on it for too long and you cut all the blood off from it. I slowly take a few steps; yeah, I can manage this. She'll be right. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Living room search options") %>

<% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Door2")) { print("[[[Go through second door]|C1P39V1]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "LivingWindow")) { print("[[[Look out of the window]|C1P39V2]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "CoffeeTable")) { print("[[[Look at the coffee table]|C1P39V3]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Saline")) { print("[[[Look at bag of clear fluid]|C1P39V4]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "TVandC")) { print("[[[Look at the TV and cabinet]|C1P39V5]]<br>"); } %> [[[Go through hallway door]|C1P40]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Door2") %> I walk around to the other door and open it. Huh, a familiar sight: it's the laundry room. There's a red stain on the floor just near the door, I guess that's where I passed out... good thing I didn't hit my head. I close the door. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Living room search options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "CoffeeTable") %> I walk up to the coffee table. It's pretty ordinary, a few coffee stains here and there, otherwise in good shape. I wonder if Lucy has any coffee? I haven't had any in years. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Living room search options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "TVandC") %> I walk over to the TV and cabinet. The TV looks reasonably new, one of those fancy new super flat ones. Well, I guess not new anymore. I bend down and open the cabinet. There's a load of old TV crap, set-top boxes and what have you, and- What's this: a spinning top. What's this doing in here? [[[Take spinning top]|C1P39V51]] <%= window.story.customRender("F: Living room search options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Saline") %> I walk up to the hat hanger and look at the clear bag of fluid, what's left of it anyway. I take it off the hanger, it's a long, crumpled up, clear bag, and it looks rather worn. There's some writing on it I can still make out though, "Sodium Chloride 0.9% 1000ml - For Intravenous Infusion". I thought Lucy said it was just salty water... There's more writing near the bottom, "Sterile non-pyrogenic... osmolality 308 mOsm/kg water... isotonic... pH 4.5 - 7", OK I feel like I'm back in highschool science class again, I have no clue what any of this means. I put the bag back on the hanger. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Living room search options") %>

I head to the door, wary of my leg. I then go through the door to the hallway. The hallway has doors on all four sides, and a set of stairs on one side. <i>"Tiffany, stop playing with your food..."</i>, I hear Lucy say somewhere behind the furthest door. That must be to the kitchen. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Hallway search options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "LivingWindow") %> I walk over to the window. It's been boarded up from the outside, but there are a few cracks I can look through. I squat down and have a look through one. It looks out onto a small front garden and the street, and- Whoa, that's actually quite a lot of walkers. Looks like they're just passing through, maybe 10 or 20 of them? I should probably let Lucy know... Anyway, the front garden is much smaller than the back garden, it's got a small fence running around it, only about half a meter high. The weather doesn't look great actually, it's pretty overcast, and I can see storm clouds rolling in. I wonder how this place will hold up in the rain. I stand up again. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Living room search options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "SpinningTop") %> I pick up the spinning top. <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %> might like this. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Living room search options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Stairs") %> I walk up to the stairs, they bend and go to the left as they go up. I better not go up there, <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Lied")) { print("Lucy doesn't trust me as it is, no need to give her another excuse") } else { print("don't want to push my luck and risk a free meal") } %>. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Hallway search options") %>

I walk up to the door on the left and open it. It's a bathroom! I could really use a freshening up... [[[Enter bathroom]|C1P40V21]] <%= window.story.customRender("F: Hallway search options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Frontdoor") %> I walk up to the door, it's larger than the other doors, and has locks on it: this must be the front door. I don't really want to go out there right now<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "LivingWindow")) print(", not with all those walkers out there") %>. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Hallway search options") %>

<% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Haircut")) { window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Haircut", false); } %> I walk to the end of the hallway and go through the kitchen door. %Tiffany% and Lucy are sitting at a table in the middle of the small room. Benches line two sides of the room, and there's a door on the far side. There's a portable gas stove with a can on top of it on one of the benches<% if(window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "CoffeeTable")) print(", no coffee pot though, damn") %>. %Tiffany% looks up from her meal and sees me, a huge smile fills her face. "Come sit here!", %Tiffany% says, gesturing to the chair next to her. I look over at Lucy, she gives a slight smile and nods her approval. [[[Sit next to %Tiffany%]|C1P42]]

<% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Stairs")) { print("[[[Look at stairs]|C1P40V1]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Bathroom") && window.passage.name != "C1P40V2") { print("[[[Look at door on the left]|C1P40V2]]<br>"); } if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Frontdoor")) { print("[[[Look at door on the right]|C1P40V3]]<br>"); } %> [[[Go through kitchen door]|C1P41]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Bathroom") %> I step inside. There's a sink with some water in it, it looks pretty clean too. I walk over to it, dip my hands in, and run my hands over my face. Wow, that feels great, I don't recall the last time I had a wash. I give my face and arms a good scrub, the water turns a nasty brown color. I look at the mirror above the sink. My brown eyes are plagued by red lines. My brown messy hair is in complete disarray; it's getting a bit long for my liking too. I wonder if there is a pair of scissors around here? [[[Leave bathroom]|C1P40V211]]<br> [[[Search for scissors]|C1P40V212]]

Ah well, another time. I let out the water in the sink and leave the bathroom. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Hallway search options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Haircut") %> I search around the bathroom. I find a small vanity box and open it, it contains some bits and bobs, and- Perfect, a pair of scissors. I walk back over to the sink and start cutting my hair. Doesn't need to be pretty, just functional... There we go, that's a bit better. I pocket the scissors, I doubt that box was Lucy's, judging by the dust on it, and finding a pair is not easy these days. I let the water in the sink go, and head back into the hallway. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Hallway search options") %>

I sit down at the table. "I'll fix you a bowl", Lucy says as she stands up from the table. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Haircut")) { %> %Tiffany% looks at me, puzzled. "You look different", she says. "I cut my hair; it's important to keep your hair short", I reply. "Why?", %Tiffany% asks. "So, um, *bad people*, can't grab you as easily", I reply. "Like the monsters?", %Tiffany% says. "Well yeah, but also-", I start to respond. Lucy is walking back over, shooting me a dirty look. I trail off. <% } else { %> She walks over to the portable stove and fills a bowl with the contents of the can. %Tiffany% staring and smiling at me the whole time. Lucy walks back over to me. <% } %> "Here you go, Beans and Cheese!", Lucy exclaims. [[[Take the bowl]|C1P43]]

I take the bowl and set it down. "Thanks, I haven't had a hot meal in... well, a long time", I remark. I'm starving, I dig right in. I can feel %Tiffany% staring at me, I stop eating and look at her. She has a hilariously cute look of disgust on her face. "How can you eat *that*?", she asks unapologetically. I nearly choke laughing; Lucy was not so impressed. "You're free to go find your own meal little miss picky", she replies, rolling her eyes. [[Eat, it tastes good|C1P43V1]]<br> [[What do you like to eat?|C1P43V2]]<br> [[You need food for strength|C1P43V3]]

<% window.story.loadSaves() %> <img.titleImage> <span#slotsLoading>Loading...</span> <div-#savesContainer></div> [[Back|Game Options]]

<img.titleImage> This game has an optional Cloud Saving feature, to enable it, click the button below and follow the instructions. itch.io account required. <% if (window.story.network) { %> <div#titleButton>[[Enable Cloud Saving|Linking]]</div> <% } else { %> <div#titleButton><a0 onclick="window.story.noConnection()"><s>Enable Cloud Saving</s><br><span.smaller>(Could not connect to remote server)</span></a></div> <% } %> If you choose not to enable Cloud Saving, your progress will be lost when you refresh or leave the game. <div#titleButton>[[Continue without Saving|Game Options]]</div> [[Back|Title Screen]]

<img.titleImage> Clicking the button below will open a new tab, ask you to authorize Purpose (this game) to access your public itch.io information, and will then give you a temporary "Linking Code" to use below. Purpose only uses your itch.io information for saving your game progress. Purpose does not have access to your E-Mail, Password, or any other personal information. <u>NOTE: Treat your Linking Code like a password, do not share it, and if you are recording or streaming, do not show it to your audience. Linking Codes are one use, and expire if not used.</u> <hr> <div#titleButton> <a#generateButton href="https://purpose-game.com/auth" target="_blank" onclick="window.story.toggleLinkingDisplays()">Generate Linking Code</a> </div> <form-#linkingForm action="javascript:void(0)"> <label for="linkingCode">Linking Code</label><br> <input#linkingCode type="text" name="code" placeholder="Paste Here" autocomplete="off" maxlength="9"> <button0#linkingCodeButton onclick="window.story.linkCode()">Link</button><br> <a.small.normalLink onclick="window.story.toggleLinkingDisplays(true)">I need another Linking Code</a> </form> [[Back|Save Options]]

<img.titleImage> Thanks for linking your itch.io account with Purpose, <% print(window.story.player.name) %>. Your story progress and achievements will now be saved to the Cloud. You will need to re-link your account each time you play the game. <div#titleButton>[[Continue|Game Options]]</div>

<img.titleImage> <div#titleButton> <% if (window.story.saving) { print("[[New Game|New Game]]"); print("[[Saved Games|Saved Games]]"); } else { print("[[New Game|C1 Intro]]"); if (window.story.network) print("[[Enable Saving|Save Options]]"); } %> <a onclick="window.story.toggleFullscreen()">Toggle Fullscreen</a> </div>

<% window.story.loadSaves(true) %> <img.titleImage> Select a Save Slot to start a new game. <u>NOTE: Selecting a Save Slot that is already in use will override any saved data.</u> <span#slotsLoading>Loading...</span> <form-#saveSlotSelector action="javascript:void(0)"> <label for="slots">Choose a Save Slot:</label> <select#slots name="slots"> <option#saveSlot1 value="1">Save Slot 1</option> <option#saveSlot2 value="2">Save Slot 2</option> <option#saveSlot3 value="3">Save Slot 3</option> <option#saveSlot4 value="4">Save Slot 4</option> </select> <button0#selectSlotButton onclick="window.story.selectSlot()">Select Slot and Start Game</button> </form> [[Back|Game Options]]

"Eat up, it tastes good", I say with a mouthful. "It's all gluggy and gross", %Tiffany% replies. "That's because you let it go cold...", Lucy says with a sigh. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Come chat") %>

"What do you like to eat?", I ask %Tiffany%. "Pizza, and peanut butter sandwiches!", she replies excitedly. "Not much of that around these days", I remark. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Come chat") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Eating") %> "Eat up, you need food for strength", I say. "But it's all gluggy and gross", %Tiffany% replies. "Doesn't matter, you never know when you're going to get your next meal. Have to eat while you can", I remark. I glance at Lucy. She looks back uncomfortably but doesn't say anything. "Hmm, I guess that makes sense", %Tiffany% says, sounding defeated. %Tiffany% starts to eat, I think I taught her something important. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Come chat") %>

I get back to my bowl. "Sarah, come chat with me when you're finished", Lucy says, as she stands up and heads for the other door. "Yeah, sure", I reply. Lucy leaves the room. [[[Keep eating]|C1P44]]

<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Eating")) { %> I look over at %Tiffany%, she's actually making decent process on her meal. Good. <% } else { %> I look over at %Tiffany%, she's still playing with her food... <% } if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "SpinningTop")) { print(`[[[Give %Tiffany% the spinning top]|C1P44V4]]`); } %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiff Breakfast Talk Options") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "TiffBackstory", "Dad") %> "So, uh, where's your dad?", I ask %Tiffany%. She looks up from her meal. "He got eaten by monsters", she replies, sounding a little downtrodden. "Sorry to hear that", I reply. "Don't be, he was being silly", she adds. "How so?", I ask. "He was really sad all of the time and kept making silly mistakes. One day we were down in this cool underground train station, and we walked into a bunch of monsters. Mom picked me up and ran away, but dad just stood there, Mom tried to shout at him to move, but he didn't", she remarks. We sit for a moment, while I process what this little girl just described to me. "Anyway, where's your dad?", she asks cheerfully. "I'm not sure, I couldn't get back to him or my mom after everything went to shit. I like to think they're out there somewhere, but it's unlikely", I reply. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Better get going") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "TiffBackstory", "Lonely") %> "So, where have you guys been staying, have you moved around a lot?", I ask %Tiffany%. She looks up from her meal. "We move houses every few days, sometimes we stay longer, but mostly not. Mom finds a safe house, and then leaves me there during the day to go out looking for food and stuff", she replies. "That... must be lonely", I say, feeling bad for her. "Yeah it is, but mom says that it's too dangerous outside for me to come with her, except when we move houses", she replies, sounding a little annoyed. "What about you?", %Tiffany% asks. "Um, I move around a lot. Sometimes I'll stay in a house, like you, but most of the time I just sleep wherever it's safest. Being by myself means it's pretty easy to pack up and go at a moment's notice, which has its perks", I explain. "Don't you get lonely too?", she asks. "Sometimes, but I'm used to it. I've been on my own for a shit long time", I reply. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Better get going") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "TiffBackstory", "Killing"); _.delay(function() { window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "Walkers", "Walkers?", "What do you call the ones that run?") }, 30 * 1000); %> "So, how many walkers have you killed?", I ask %Tiffany%. She looks up from her meal. "Walker? Is that what you call the monsters?", she asks, sounding a little confused. "Yeah, the monsters. How many have you killed?", I reply. "Oh, I haven't killed any... I don't know how to", she replies, sounding uneasy. "It's not hard, you just have to aim for the head", I reply with a mouth full, looking at her. "Might be a little hard, considering how little you are, but don't let that stop you!", I remark, as I load another spoonful. %Tiffany% looks away for a moment, like she's thinking. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Eating")) { %> I taught her another important thing. <% } else { %> I think I taught her something important. <% } %> "Why do you call them walkers?", she asks. Still caught up on that, gee. "Because they bloody walk everywhere", I reply. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Better get going") %>

"Anyway, uh, I had better go chat with your mom", I say, getting up from the table. I head to the other door in the room. I can hear rain outside, the gentle tapping on the roof is actually pretty soothing... I get to the door and open it, then step through. It's a dining room, there's a long 8 or so seater table in the middle of the room, a window with the curtains pulled on one wall, and a display table with some picture frames on it on the far wall. Lucy is standing at the display table, holding one of the frames. Lucy turns to look at me as I close the door. She looks away again, back at the picture frame. "I'm sorry about last night", she says. [[...|C1P45V1]]<br> [[No stress|C1P45V2]]<br> [[You broke our deal|C1P45V3]]

%Tiffany%'s face contorts into a look of shock. "Swear!", she exclaims. There's an awkward pause. "Um, sorry?", I reply. Another awkward pause. I scrape the last drops out of the bowl: all finished. [[I better go talk to Lucy|C1P45]]

I stay by the door, there's an uncomfortable silence. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Broke our deal") %>

"Don't worry about it. It was clearly... difficult, for both of us", I say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Broke our deal") %>

"You broke our deal", I remark. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Broke our deal") %>

Lucy puts the picture frame down and turns to face me. "<% if (window.passage.name === "C1P45V3") { print("Yes, I did.") } else { print("I broke our deal, last night.") } %> That's why I wanted to talk to you", Lucy sighs. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't ask about... your sister, just to find out more about the kind of person you are", she remarks. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't ask about <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %> for the same reason", I reply. Lucy gives a slight smile. "Fair enough", she replies. [[[Walk over to Lucy]|C1P46]]

I walk over to Lucy. I glance down at the picture frames she was looking at, they're not of her, or of %Tiffany%; just some random family, a happy, family. "Tiffany used to be like the little boy in these pictures", Lucy says, gesturing to the picture frames. "Happy, carefree, and surrounded by a loving family. Then when everything went to shit, she lost all that, and there was nothing I could, can, do about it", Lucy remarks. [[...|C1P46V1]]<br> [[She's still happy|C1P46V2]]<br> [[You still love her|C1P46V3]]

I look at Lucy, then back at the frames. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Happy cuz of you") %>

"She still looks pretty happy to me", I state. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Happy cuz of you") %>

"You still love her, she has that", I say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Happy cuz of you") %>

"<% if (window.passage.name === "C1P46V2") { print ("She's happy because of you.") } else { print("And that's not enough.") } %>", Lucy remarks. "You are the first thing, the first *person* to bring any joy into her life in a very long time. I try to keep her happy, but I'm so busy trying to keep her alive and fed, I just don't have the time. You don't even need to do anything, just being around you is enough to lift her spirits!", Lucy exclaims. [[...|C1P47V1]]<br> [[Jealous?|C1P47V2]]<br> <% switch (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "TiffBackstory")) { case "Lonely": print("[[She's lonely|C1P47V31]]"); break; case "Dad": print("[[She misses her dad|C1P47V32]]"); break; case "Killing": print("[[You don't involve her enough|C1P47V33]]"); break; } %>

I'm not sure where this is going... <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiff is a child") %>

"Jealous?", I ask? Lucy scoffs. "Yeah, I guess I am a little bit", she says, smiling slightly. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiff is a child") %>

"She's just lonely. And I mean can you blame her, when she's left alone all day long?", I remark. I didn't realize how rude that sounded till the words left my mouth. Lucy turns to me with a mixture of anger and shock, but it quickly fades away to a look of pain. She knows I'm right. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiff is a child") %>

<% window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "Nerve", "Struck a Nerve", "Found a touchy subject") %> "She just misses her dad; it sounded like he was going through al-", I start. "Don't talk about my husband", Lucy snaps. I'm caught off guard, I bite my tongue. "He abandoned us, abandoned *Tiffany*, when she needed him most. That's it, end of story", Lucy spits out. There's an awkward silence. I guess she either doesn't understand, or doesn't want to understand it, from his perspective. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiff is a child") %>

"You don't get her involved enough", I say. Lucy looks at me in confusion. "She said she hasn't even killed a walker", I explain. "How can you expect her to be happy when you don't let her do anything?", I ask. Lucy takes a breath as if to say something, but stops and looks away instead. She knows I'm right. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiff is a child") %>

Lucy moves away towards the window. "She's just a child. She didn't even get the chance to go to school...", Lucy trails off. "I'm doing the best I can to keep her alive; there's not exactly a handbook on 'How to raise a child in the apocalypse'", she remarks. She looks out the window for a few moments. [[Why did you save me?|C1P48]]

"Why did you save me, really", I ask. Lucy is silent for a moment. "I saved you, because one day, maybe soon, that might be my little girl, running around out there, needing help...", she trails off. She's still facing away from me, but I hear a sniffle. "And I can only hope that people are as kind to her, as I have been to you", she finishes. She turns to face me, tears streaking down her eyes. [[...|C1P48V1]]<br> [[They will be|C1P48V2]]<br> [[They won't be|C1P48V3]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "WillHelp", false) %> I'm not sure what to say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Stay") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "WillHelp") %> "They will be", I say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Stay") %>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "WillHelp", false) %> "They won't be", I say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Stay") %>

<% if (window.passage.name === "C1P48V1") { %> Lucy looks at me... she understands there are not many good people left these days. She takes a breath, wiping her tears away. <% } else if (window.passage.name === "C1P48V2") { %> "Do you really think so?", she asks, taking a breath, wiping her tears away. "I do", I say confidently. <% } else if (window.passage.name === "C1P48V3") { %> "Deep down, I think I know that", she says, taking a breath, wiping her tears away. <% } %> Lucy takes a moment to center herself. "I'm not sure how to say this, so I'll just say it: I'd like it if you stayed with us", Lucy says. My heart skips a beat, I haven't been with other people long term since... Sophia. "I know it's a lot to lay on you all at once, but, I've thought about it;<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "ItemsCollected") > 0) print(" you're resourceful,") %> you clearly know how to survive out there, you can pull your own weight, and you'll have an influence on Tiffany", she explains. "Don't know if it will be a good or bad influence, we'll have to find out, together", she says with a slight smile. This is a lot to process, I have to think about this for a minute. I've known these people for like, five minutes; they seem nice, but is this even something I want? [[[Think about Lucy's offer]|C1P49]]

I think about it for a minute, Lucy staring at me all the while. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "NewPurpose")) { %> Well, I said I needed a new purpose; this isn't exactly what I had in mind, but... I can't bring Sophia back, but maybe I can honor her through helping %Tiffany%. <% } else { %> I don't know... I don't want, no, I *can't* have another little girl's blood on my hands. %Tiffany% might be better off without me. <% } %> [[I'll stay|C1P50]] [[I'm not staying|C1P50]]

"I-", I start to say. <i>"AAARGH!"</i>, someone, or something, screams from outside. Lucy and I both look towards the direction of the source. It sounded like it came from somewhere outside the front of the house. [[I got %Tiffany%, go!|C1P51V1]] [[Watch %Tiffany%, I'll go!|C1P51V2]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Protect") %> "I'll protect %Tiffany%, go find out what *the fuck* that was!", I exclaim. Lucy looks at me and nods, then runs out the door, I go right behind her. [[[Go to %Tiffany%]|C1P52V1]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "Protect", false) %> "You protect <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %>, I'll go find out what *the fuck* that was!", I exclaim as I head for the door. "Right!", I hear Lucy say behind me. [[[Go through the door]|C1P52V2]]

I go through the doorway back into the Kitchen, Lucy is already at the door to the hallway. "Mom?!", %Tiffany% says, sounding distressed. <i>"Oh fuck, help!"</i>, the voice screams from outside. It sounds like a guy. "Don't worry, she's handling it", I say as I approach %Tiffany%. "Handling what?", she asks looking at me, fear in her eyes. "Nothing good...", I reply. I walk to the corner of the room so I can see down the hallway. [[[Look at Lucy]|C1P53V1]]

I walk through the doorway back into the Kitchen and head straight for the door to the hallway. "Sarah?!", %Tiffany% says, clearly distressed. <i>"Oh fuck, help!"</i>, the voice screams from outside. It sounds like a guy. "Stay with your mom, I'm handling it", I say as I walk past her and out into the hallway. "Handling what?", I hear her ask behind me. I'm at the front door now, I can hear a commotion outside. [[[Look through the peephole]|C1P53V2]]

I look down the hallway, I can see Lucy standing at the front door. She's looking through the peephole. <i>"Someone, please!"</i>, the voice screams again. Lucy steps back from the door and looks at me. Our eyes lock: what is she going to do? <div#lucyAction></div> <script> // Using script tags here instead of Underscore templates because you can't use if statements and a render in Interpolation tags if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "WillHelp") && window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Lied")) { $("#lucyAction").replaceWith(window.story.customRender("F: Lucy stays inside")); } else { $("#lucyAction").replaceWith(window.story.customRender("F: Lucy goes outside")); } </script>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "LucySavesStranger", false) %> She holds eye contact for a moment, then looks back at the door, and looks around it. Is she looking for a way to lock it? I guess she's not going out there. Probably for the best. "Sarah, what's mom doing", %Tiffany% says from the table. I look back at her, she looks terrified. [[...|C1P53V122]]<br> [[She's keeping us safe|C1P53V121]]<br> [[She's helping someone outside [Lie]|C1P53V123]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "LucySavesStranger") %> Lucy pulls out her knife, opens the door, and disappears through it. What the hell is she doing?! I turn to the boarded-up window on my left, I try to find a gap to look through, but between the boards and the rain outside, I can't see jack shit... just, walkers. I look back at %Tiffany%, she's still sitting at the table, looking terrified. [[...|C1P53V112]]<br> [[She'll be fine %Tiffany%|C1P53V111]]<br> [[[Extend hand out to %Tiffany%]|C1P53V113]]

<% window.story.networkCheck("Alpha") %> Loading, please wait...

This game is in an alpha state (v<% print(window.story.version) %>), all content is subject to change. [[Understood|Title Screen]]

I look through the peephole, <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "LivingWindow")) { print("the weather has gotten a lot worse too") } else { print("the weather is terrible outside") } %>, the rain is coming down heavy. There's a lot of walkers outside<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "LivingWindow")) print(", even more than when I looked before") %>, they're all focused on something in the middle of the street, it's difficult to see... There! A guy outside! <i>"Get away from me!"</i>, he screams. He's pretty tall, but skinny, wearing a trench coat or something, wildly swinging a bat around: he's going to get himself killed. I step back from the peephole and look towards the end of the hallway. Lucy is standing in the corner of the Kitchen, looking at me. Our eyes lock for a moment. <i>"Anyone, please, help!"</i>, the guy screams from outside. I look back towards the door.<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "WillHelp")) print (" I told Lucy people still help each other out, might be time to put my money where my mouth is.") %> I could go out and help him... or, I can make sure nothing gets through this door. [[[Help the stranger]|C1P53V21]] [[[Do not help the stranger]|C1P53V22]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "SaveStranger") %> Shit. This is a bad idea. I look back at Lucy for a moment, <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "WillHelp")) { print ("she nods") } else { print("she slowly shakes her head at me") } %>, she understands what I'm about to do. I unlock the door, open it, and step outside. I close the door behind me and immediately get slapped by the rain. It's pouring out here. I reach down for my knife- fuck, I forgot I don't have it! <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Haircut")) { %> I feel around in my pockets, ah! The scissors! Seems like a waste, they'll be ruined, but better than going out here with my bare hands... <% } else { %> I feel around in my pockets... nothing I can use as a weapon. Guess I'm going to have to be smart about how I move around these walkers. <% } %> I look for the guy, he's in the middle of the street a couple of meters away, he hasn't noticed me, and neither have any of the walkers. Between all the noise he's making and the rain, they're totally focused on him. They must be at least 20 or 30 walkers, no way we can take them all out, not without proper weapons. My options are limited here: maybe I can get his attention from here and have him come over here to the house, save having to fight my way to him; or, I can try and clear a path to him, and get his attention when I'm closer to him. [[[Yell at him]|C1P53V211]] [[[Go over to him]|C1P53V212]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "SaveStranger", false) %> No way in hell am I stepping out there. I look back at Lucy for a moment, <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "WillHelp")) { print ("she looks at me, disapointed, but doesn't say anthing") } else { print("she slowly nods her head at me") } %>. I look at the door, there's not much in the way of locking, in fact, the lock looks busted. I guess that's how Lucy got in. If I could move a chair or a table in front of the door, that might be enough to- \*Bang\* What the hell, that was on the other side of the door, how'd a walker get up here so quickly- "Hey! Anyone in here?", a man's voice shouts from the other side of the door. Shit! Now what?! It won't take him long to figure out it's not fucking locked! [[Go away!|C1P53V221]]<br> [[<% print (window.story.tiffany()) %> run!|C1P53V222]]<br> [[[Hold the door closed]|C1P53V223]]

<% window.story.achievement("Chapter1", "Scorpion", "Scorpion", "*Get over here*") %> I don't want to have to go over to him, too dangerous. "Hey! You!", I yell at the man. He stops swinging his bat for a moment and looks at me, with the expression on his face you'd have thought he just laid eyes on a pot of gold. "Get over here!", I yell at him. He nods, and gets back to swinging, slowly moving towards me. Uh-oh, that drew some unwanted attention as well. A few walkers have started heading my direction now, shit! <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Haircut")) { %> [[[Use Scissors]|C1P53V2111]] <% } else { %> [[[Look around for a weapon]|C1P53V2112]] <% } %>

I had better go over to him, no point yelling and drawing more walkers. The path between him and I is actually pretty clear, most of the walkers are on the street, there's only one walker directly in my way. I start towards it, the rain is covering up the sound of my walking, so I've got that going for me at least. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Haircut")) { %> I get up right behind it, then <%= window.story.customRender("F: Scissor takedown") %> <% } else { %> I get up right behind it, then I quickly kick out its left knee, it makes a pronounced snapping noise and bends abnormally. The walker tumbles to its knees. I push it to the ground, then stomp its head in. I take a breath, been a while since I've had to do that. Its head has turned to mush... and I have said mush all over my shoes; a problem for later. <% } %> [[[Keep heading towards the stranger]|C1P53V2121]]

I take a few steps forward towards the closest walker, then wait for him to get within arm's length. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Scissor takedown") %> <%= window.story.customRender("F: Ow my leg") %>

I look around for a weapon. There's nothing out here! Just a doormat and a potted plant. Wait, the plant, that could do. I walk over to it and start to pick it up. It's got a fair bit of weight to it. I look back towards the walkers, the closest one is just a few meters from me. I brace myself, and then throw the potted plant right at it. The pot connects with the walker's head and shatters. The walker goes down like a sack of potatoes. <%= window.story.customRender("Ow my leg") %>

Fuck, I forgot about my leg, argh! That really hurt. I look up, there are still two walkers headed for me, shit. I take a step back- ARGH, shit, I've properly buggered my leg: this isn't good. I start to hobble back towards the door, pain shooting up my leg; I look back over at the stranger. We make eye contact for a moment, he sees I'm hurt and I'm being followed. There's a moment of panic in his eyes, then he must have had an idea, because he smiles. "Hey! Hey, dummies; over here!", he shouts over the top of the rain. The walkers following me stop and slowly swing back towards him. "Yeah that's right idiots, over here!", he shouts again. He must be crazy, but it's working. [[[Open the door to the house]|C1P53V21111]]

I shuffle back to the front door and open it, I look back towards the stranger. He's made it most of the way over to me now. "Come on!", I shout at him. He takes one final swing, then bolts towards the door. I step inside and out of the way, right as he comes crashing in. I slam the door behind him. We both stand there for a moment, soaking wet, and panting. I notice he's got light green eyes, and long black hair in a ponytail. "Thanks...", he manages to say, between breaths. "Don't mention it", I reply. "My name's Charles", he says between puffs. "Sarah, and that's Lucy", I say as I gesture over my shoulder back towards the kitchen. Charles jumps a little, he must not have seen her; but he quickly recovers and gives a little slow-wave. [[[Turn towards Lucy]|C1P53V211111]]

I quickly kick out its left knee, it makes a pronounced snapping noise and bends abnormally. The walker tumbles to its knees, its head bent over, perfectly within reach. I take the scissors and drive them deep into the back of its head, it makes a horrid gurgling sound, then flops to the ground. I go to pull the scissors out of its head, but they snap at the handle, leaving the sharp end in the walker's head. Figures.

I take a step towards the stranger- ARGH, shit! I forgot about my leg; I've properly buggered it taking down that walker. I'm not as close to him as I would have liked, but this will have to do. "Hey!", I shout over the rain, as I wave my hands in the air. He stops swinging his bat for a moment and looks at me, with the expression on his face you'd have thought he just laid eyes on a pot of gold. "Hey! Someone actually heard me!", he exclaims happily. "Come on, let's get inside", I say back to him. He nods and starts heading towards me, swinging as he goes. [[[Head back to the house]|C1P53V21111]]

"Go aw-", I start to say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Door swings open") %>

"<% print(window.story.tiffany()) %> ru-", I start to say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Door swings open") %>

I lean on the door- <%= window.story.customRender("F: Door swings open") %>

\*Crash\* Suddenly, the door swings open, and a man comes crashing through. I get knocked to the ground by the door and land awkwardly on my bad leg. Argh, fuck's sake. The man lands on the stairs, soaked. I get onto my knees and look at the man, he props himself up as well and our eyes meet, a look of shock on his face. He's got light green eyes, and long black hair in a ponytail... and he has a bat. There's a moment of silence. His expression turns to one of anger. "Oi, why didn't you help me out there! There's no way you didn't hear me!", the stranger says angrily. [[I don't know you!|C1P53V2211]]<br> [[You were going to get yourself killed!|C1P53V2212]]<br> [[I was going to! [Lie]|C1P53V2213]]

Who the hell does this guy think he is? "I don't know you, and I don't owe you shit!", I snap back. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Not now") %>

Is this guy for real? "You were carrying on like a headless chicken! You've pulled every walker within a half-mile, and it looked like you were trying to get yourself killed!", I snap back at him. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Not now") %>

"I was about to, OK?", I say; the look on his face says he's not convinced. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Not now") %>

"Hey! Now's not the time, we've got bigger problems", Lucy says from somewhere behind me. The stranger looks startled, he must not have seen her. He takes a breath as if to say something, but doesn't. He shoots me a dirty look, then begins to stand up. What an asshole. [[[Stand up]|C1P53V22111]]

I get up off the floor awkwardly, getting knocked down really did a number on my leg. <%= window.story.customRender("F: What we need to do now") %>

I awkwardly spin towards Lucy, I really did a number on my leg. <%= window.story.customRender("F: What we need to do now") %>

"Alright, what we need to do now is-", I begin to say. \*Crash\* A hand appears through one of the boarded-up windows in the hallway, between the front door and the kitchen. "Walkers!", Lucy shouts, as the sound of glass and wood breaking around the house starts to be heard. [[<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "SaveStranger")) { print("Charles,") } else { print("The") } %> Bat!|C1P54V21]]<br> [[Upstairs, quickly!|C1P54V22]]<br> [[[Run to the kitchen]|C1P54V23]]

<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "SaveStranger")) { %> "Charles, the bat!", I turn and shout. <% } else { %> "The bat!", I turn and shout. <% } %> He grabs it and throws it in my direction, I catch it, and head towards the window, pushing through the pain in my leg. As I approach, I raise the bat well above my head and bring it down on the arm with all my strength. The bat hits the arm and keeps going; the arm makes a horrible snapping noise, as whatever bones were left in the walker's arm turned to dust. The bat hits the ground and splits in two. The arm, pointing 90 degrees downward now, continues to twitch and wriggle. I drop the bat and look up towards the kitchen to meet Lucy's gaze. "Let's, go!", I shout. Lucy grabs <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %> from somewhere beside her and starts booking it down the hallway towards me. [[[Head for the stairs]|C1P55]]

"Upstairs, quickly!", I shout. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "SaveStranger")) { print("Charles") } else { print("The stranger") } %> doesn't need to be told twice, he scrambles to the stairs and starts going up. I look back at Lucy, she's got <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %> and is headed down the hallway towards me. As she passes the window, the hand suddenly reaches out and grabs Lucy's pants. <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %> screams. "Come to me!", I shout at <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %>. <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %> doesn't move, but Lucy lets go of her and shoves her in my direction. <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %> stumbles towards me, and I catch her in a hug. I look back at Lucy again, she has her knife out now. She quickly stabs the arm several times, then takes a swipe at it. The arm comes clean off. [[[Head for the stairs]|C1P55]]

Without thinking I bolt for the kitchen, pushing through the pain in my leg. "No!", Lucy shouts. I stop running. "We'll come to you", she says. I nod, and turn back to <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "SaveStranger")) { print("Charles") } else { print("the stranger") } %>. "Get upstairs", I shout. He doesn't need to be told twice, he starts scrambling up the stairs. I look back at Lucy, she's got <% print(window.story.tiffany()) %> in one hand, her knife in the other, and is head down the hallway towards me. As she passes the window, she makes one clean swipe at the hand and it comes clean off. Impressive. [[[Head for the stairs]|C1P55]]

<% window.story.delayedText(20 * 1000) %> I head for the stairs, %Tiffany% and Lucy right behind me. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "SaveStranger") || window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "LucySavesStranger")) { print("No sign of Charles, he must be upstairs already.") } else if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { "I glance over at the stranger, he has two walkers on him now; his face is contorted, but totally silent... poor guy." } %> I get to the first step and stop, I look behind me to make sure the other two are still following me. %Tiffany% hot on my heels, Lucy just behind her. \*Bang, bang bang, bang\* The door! Lucy hears it too. "Don't stop, keep going!", she exclaims, practically pushing %Tiffany% to the stairs, then turning around and throwing herself against the door. I start heading up- <div-#delayed> \*Crash, bang\* "Argh!", Lucy shouts behind me. I look behind me; the front door has come clean off its hinges, landed on Lucy, and there are four or five walkers piled on top of the fallen door! "Shit, no!", I exclaim, as I head back down the stairs. Lucy must have dropped her knife because it's laying on the stairs in front of her. I pick it up and start towards the walkers. "No!", Lucy wails. "Get Tiffany and go, please!", she cries out. The walkers are starting to get up. I look down at %Tiffany%, she's frozen in place, hands to her face, looking down at her mom. [[[Try to help Lucy]|C1P55V1]] [[[Grab %Tiffany% and go]|C1P55V2]] </div>

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "TriedToSaveLucy") %> Fuck that, I can't just leave her! I step past %Tiffany% back towards Lucy. I get to the last step right as one of the fallen walkers leans over and takes a massive chunk out of Lucy's neck. "Argh! Ugh...", Lucy gurgles. "No!", I exclaim. Not again, not again! "Just... go...", Lucy manages to gargle. More walkers are coming through the open doorway now. I take one last look at Lucy, then spin around to %Tiffany%. The look on her face will be burned into my brain for as long as I live. Her blue eyes staring, unblinking, tears budding in the corners of her eyes, her face slowly going pale. She won't forget this. [[[Grab %Tiffany%]|C1P55V11]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "TriedToSaveLucy", false) %> I go down the stairs towards %Tiffany% and grab her by the hand. "Come on %Tiffany%, we need to go, now!", I say, pulling her up the stairs. "No! Mom!", she screams, the pitch of her voice is piercing. "Argh! Ugh...", Lucy gurgles somewhere behind me. I don't look back. "%Tiffany%, move!", I shout, continuing to pull her up the stairs. [[[Go up the stairs]|C1P56]]

I go up the stairs towards %Tiffany% and grab her by the hand. "Come on %Tiffany%, there's nothing we can do for her", I say, pulling her up the stairs. She doesn't say a word, she must be in shock... I guess I am too for that matter. "Ugh, ugh...", Lucy gurgles somewhere behind me. I don't look back. [[[Go up the stairs]|C1P56]]

We climb to the top of the stairs... Why do people keep dying around me? Am I just a death maganet? Ugh, no time for this now, we need to get out of here. I start to look around, we are in another hallway, there are three doors along the sides and some kind of open room at the end. "We need to go back and get her", %Tiffany% says. "What?", I reply, caught a little off-guard. "We need to go get mom!", she half shouts half cries. [[%Tiffany%, she's dead|C1P56V1]]<br> [[Keep your voice down!|C1P56V2]]<br> [[That's not your mom anymore...|C1P56V3]]

"Hey, I got you something", I say to %Tiffany%, as I get the spinning top out of my pocket. "You did?", she replies, her eyes lighting up as if it was Christmas. "Here", I say, holding out the spinning top. "What is it?", %Tiffany% asks, taking it in her small hands. "It's called a spinning top... it's a toy, kinda", I reply. "How does it work?", %Tiffany% says, sounding intrigued. "Let me show you", I reply. I reach out and place my hand on hers, move the spinning top the correct way up, then move our hands down to the tabletop. I take my hand back. "Now, grab the top, and twist", I remark. She does, and the spinning top spins. "Woah", %Tiffany% says, as the colors on the spinning top glitter. We both sit and watch it for a moment, till it spins itself out. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Tiff Breakfast Talk Options") %>

[[Where's your dad?|C1P44V1]]<br> [[Where have you guys been staying?|C1P44V2]]<br> [[How many walkers have you killed?|C1P44V3]]<br> [[[Go talk to Lucy]|C1P45]]

"Don't worry <% print (window.story.tiffany()) %>, she'll be fine. She can handle herself", I say, trying to sound reassuring. She slowly nods her head, but I think she's only doing that for my benefit... <%= window.story.customRender("F: Clap o' thunder") %>

I really have no idea what to say to her right now that would make her feel better. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Clap o' thunder") %>

Maybe she'll feel better if she holds my hand, I don't know... I extend my arm out in her direction, she looks up at me, keeps still for a moment, then jumps out of her chair. She rushes over and wraps both her little arms around my waist. Woah, OK, that's not what I was going for, but sure, that works. I lower my arm back down and hold her. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Clap o' thunder") %>

Nothing happens for a few moments. \*Bang\* <% print (window.story.tiffany()) %> jumps as the sound of a clap of thunder rings out. The weather is really taking a turn for the worst. What is Lucy doing out there... I haven't heard any shouting in a minute or two. \*Slam\* This time I jump, as the front door swings open, and Lucy comes crashing through. "Come on!", she shouts at someone outside. She moves to the door, looking ready to close it. Suddenly, a man comes bolting through and crashes into the stairs. Lucy kicks the door closed behind him. [[[Look at the stranger]|C1P54V11]]

I look at the stranger slumped on the stairs, panting. He looks pretty tall but kinda skinny, he's wearing a trench coat or something, got light green eyes, and long black hair in a ponytail; he's soaking wet. I also notice a bat lying next to him, it's covered in walker bits. "Thanks...", he manages to say, between breaths. "Your welcome", Lucy replies. "My name's Charles", he says between puffs. "I'm Lucy, and that's Sarah and Tiffany", she says, gesturing back down the hallway towards us. Charles jumps a little, he must not have seen me; but he quickly recovers and gives me a little slow-wave. [[We need to hide|C1P54V111]]<br> [[We need to get out of here|C1P54V112]]<br> [[We need to fortify this place|C1P54V113]]

"We need to hide, and quickly. Those walkers will be on us any minute.", I say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Smash") %>

I don't know how to explain to her Lucy isn't helping whoever's outside... <%= window.story.customRender("F: Let me in!") %>

"She's making sure we stay safe, OK?", I reply, trying to sound reassuring. She slowly nods her head, but I think she's convinced. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Let me in!") %>

"She's just, um, helping someone outside, OK"?, I say. I look back down the hallway, Lucy's looking at me, an uneasy expression on her face, but she quickly gets back to the door. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Let me in!") %>

\*Bang, bang, bang\* That sounded like the front door. "Hey! Anyone in here?", a man's voice shouts from the other side of the door. Shit, whoever's out there, is about to come in here! Lucy takes a step back from the door and pulls her knife out. Oh fuck, what is she going to do? [[<% print (window.story.tiffany()) %> run!|C1P54V12]]<br> [[Lucy, be careful!|C1P54V12]]<br> [[Lucy, don't do it!|C1P54V12]]

I take a breath to speak- \*Crash\* Suddenly, the door swings open, and a man comes crashing through. Lucy gets knocked out of the way and nearly falls to the ground. The man lands on the stairs. He's pretty tall, but skinny, wearing a trench coat or something, got light green eyes, long black hair in a ponytail and he's soaking wet. He is also holding a bat. He props himself up, a look of shock on his face. I don't think he knew we were in here. There's a moment of silence. His expression turns to one of anger. "Oi, why didn't you-", the stranger starts to say angrily, but before he can finish, Lucy is back on her feet, and lunging towards him with her knife. [[...|C1P54V1212]]<br> [[Lucy stop!|C1P54V1211]]<br> [[Watch out for the bat!|C1P54V1213]]

"Lucy stop!", I shout at her. What the hell is she doing?! <%= window.story.customRender("F: wtf") %>

I don't know what the hell she's doing, but now is not the time to interrupt. <%= window.story.customRender("F: wtf") %>

"Watch out for the bat!", I shout. <%= window.story.customRender("F: wtf") %>

"What the- argh, FUCK, are you doing?!", the man shouts, while tumbling around with Lucy. Lucy has the knife right near his throat, but the man has his arms up in front of him, she can't push it close enough to get him- Suddenly the man cries out in pain: Lucy dropped the knife from one hand, caught it with the other, and took a swipe the guy's arm. Where did she learn to do that... Lucy backs off, the stranger, still on the floor, crawling back down the hallway towards the living room, holding the now bleeding arm across his chest. "What the hell is wrong with you people?!", he cries out, pain in his voice. Lucy takes a defensive stance, staying between us and the man. [[[Look at %Tiffany%]|C1P54V12111]]

<% window.story.setChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied", false) %> I look over at %Tiffany%, she's got her feet up on the seat, and she's buried her head in her knees. She must be terrified. I take a step towards her- \*Crash\* Oh god is Lucy alright? I quickly look back down the hallway. A hand has appeared through one of the boarded-up windows in the hallway and grabbed the stranger by his injured arm. "Oh god, no!", he cries out, as he gets pulled to the window, and a walker forces its head through the glass. "Walkers!", Lucy shouts, as the sound of glass and wood breaking around the house starts to be heard. "AAAHHH!", the man screams, as the walker takes a bite out of his arm. Lucy starts running down the hallway towards us. <%= window.story.customRender("F: You're heavy") %>

"Come on %Tiffany%, we need to move", I say as I get up to her. She looks up at me, scared, but doesn't move. "Come on!", I repeat, but she just stares back at me. We don't have time for this, I stretch my arms out toward her and beckon. She turns and puts her hands up, I grab her and pick her up. My goodness, she's heavier than she looks. I balance her properly so she's sitting on my hips, as she wraps her hands around my neck to hold herself. I take a step towards the door- oof, I forgot about my leg, this could be interesting. [[[Head down the hallway]|C1P54V11111]]

I get to the doorway and start down the hallway, %Tiffany% in tow. Lucy and I exchange brief glances: she looks grateful. I'm halfway down the hallway, Lucy right behind me- "AAAAAHHHH!", %Tiffany% screams from behind me. Before I have a chance to stop, her arms around my neck pull back, tight. I choke and fall backward. \*Smack\* I hit the ground. Argh, my leg, again! Can't catch a break... I've landed on my bad leg, and bumped my head. I quickly refocus my vision, and look around for %Tiffany%. A hand has come through one of the windows and grabbed her leg, that must be why she screamed and fell. I gotta get up and- Lucy appears with her knife, takes one swipe at the hand, and detaches it from the arm it was connected to. Impressive. "No time for a nap Sarah", Lucy says to me, as she helps %Tiffany% up. "Move!", she shouts. She's right, this is not a good spot to be in. I manage to get on my knees, pain shooting up my leg, but I push through it and manage to stand. [[[Head for the stairs]|C1P55]]

"We need to get out of, fast. Those walkers won't take long to get in here.", I say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Smash") %>

"We need to fortify this place, ASAP. Those walkers will make quick work of those shitty windows.", I say. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Smash") %>

I look over at %Tiffany%, she's got her feet up on the seat, and she's buried her head in her knees. She must be terrified. "I'm coming", I hear Lucy shout from the hallway. <%= window.story.customRender("F: You're heavy") %>

Charles looks up. "She's right", he says. \*Smash\* A hand suddenly appears through one of the boarded-up windows in the hallway, near Charles. "Walkers!", Lucy shouts, as the sound of glass and wood breaking around the house starts to be heard. "Shit!", Charles shouts. Lucy moves towards him to help. "Head upstairs", Lucy shouts over her shoulder. We need to get going, now. [[[Get %Tiffany%]|C1P54V1111]]

<img.titleImage> <%= window.story.customRender("Settings") %> [[Back|Title Screen]]

<img.titleImage> <div#titleButton> [[Artwork|Artwork]] <a href="https://purpose-game.com" target="_blank">Website</a> <a href="https://discord.gg/jNgAEjW7gd" target="_blank">Discord</a> <a href="https://github.com/cm8263/Purpose" target="_blank">GitHub</a> </div> [[Back|Title Screen]]

<img.titleImage> <div#titleButton> [[Sarah|Sarah]] [[Tiffany|Tiffany]] </div> [[Back|Extras]]

<img.sarahImage> Daniel "DanDarkDesigns" Ayala<br> <a href="https://www.artstation.com/darkcan" target="_blank">https://www.artstation.com/darkcan</a> [[Back|Artwork]]

<img.tiffanyImage> Daniel "DanDarkDesigns" Ayala<br> <a href="https://www.artstation.com/darkcan" target="_blank">https://www.artstation.com/darkcan</a> [[Back|Artwork]]

"%Tiffany%, listen to me: I know you don't want to accept this right now, but Sarah is gone, and unless you want...", I start to say; I was going to say unless you want to join her, but I don't want to give her any ideas. "...unless you want to waste the sacrifice she made, <i>for you</i>, we need to go, now.", I finish. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Softening the blow") %>

"Keep your voice down %Tiffany%! Those walkers are going to find their way up here soon enough, no need to encourage them.", I remark. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Softening the blow") %>

"%Tiffany%, that's... that's not your mom anymore", I say, looking at her. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Softening the blow") %>

Tears run down her small face, she doesn't reply. "We will mourn her later, I promise", I add, trying to soften the blow. \*Creak, creak, creak\* I look behind me to the stairs, I can hear the walkers making their way up. Time to move. [[[Look around the hallway]|C1P57]]

Pulling %Tiffany% along behind me, I start down the hallway. I stick my head through the first doorway: it looks like an office, it has a desk, a computer, some books, nothing else, and nothing useful. I hobble down to the next door, this one is a bedroom; it has a bed frame but no mattress, a wardrobe, and a cupboard. The cupboard door is open, I can see a few clothes hanging, but no weapons or tools to help get us out of here. I head for the final door, it's closed. I open the door, another bedroom; two mattresses on the floor, backpacks in the corner of the room, a pair of clothes sitting on top of a dresser... this must be where %Tiffany% and Sarah were sleeping. I look down at %Tiffany%, she still has tears running down her face, but she looks otherwise emotionless. I don't know if that's good or bad considering the circumstances. [[[Look at the backpacks]|C1P58]]

I step into the room and go over to the backpacks. One is a black sling backpack, with a single strap that connects with a clip in the middle; must have been Sarah's. I look at the other one, it's a smaller white backpack, with a teddy bear strapped to the side... %Tiffany%'s... I pick up the sling backpack and strap it on, then pick up the white one. "Put this on %Tiffany%", I say. She just stares back at me, blank. We don't have time for this. I spin her around, as gently as I can, and put the backpack on her. %Tiffany% acting limp as I put her arms through the small straps. I quickly look around for anything else useful: there's nothing. [[[Leave the room]|C1P58A1]]

Hello! Thanks for poking around the source code. For starters, if you're looking at this in your browser, or you've downloaded the HTML file from itch.io, the source code is freely available on GitHub, so go get it from there instead: https://github.com/cm8263/Purpose It goes without saying that there may be spoilers in here, either in passages you might not have seen or in the developer reference passages. Also, taking a look under the hood can ruin the magic, so, fair warning. All that out of the way, have fun, and feel free to leave PRs on GitHub with improvements! - Christopher

That stupid soap bar, perfect! I take it out of my pocket, still hard as a rock: just what I need. <%= window.story.customRender("F: The window shatters") %>

I step out onto the patio roof behind %Tiffany%, it's bucketing rain out here, I can barely see, and it's pretty windy too. I shield my eyes from the rain and look down at the garden, it's clear of walkers, good. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> "Well now what?", the stranger shouts over the rain. Gee, give us a second, will you? <% } %> I look around for a good way to get down off the roof... I don't see anything that would help us get down. I could lower %Tiffany% down alright, but how would I get down? Shit, one problem at a time. "%Tiffany%, come over here, I'm going to lower you down", I shout over the rain. We step over towards the edge of the roof, the stairs leading up to the patio directly below us. "How are you going to get me down there?", she whimpers in response, I can barely hear her, but at least she's speaking again. "You're going to start to climb down, then I'm going to hold your hands and lower you the rest of the way", I reply. "I can't do that", she says, looking at me with her piercing blue eyes wide open. [[You need to|C1P59V11]]<br> [[Yes you can, it's not so bad|C1P59V12]]<br> [[%Tiffany%, less talking, more doing|C1P59V13]]

"I know this is scary %Tiffany%, but you need to, or else the walkers are going to get us", I state. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Lowering") %>

"Yes you can %Tiffany%, it's not as bad as it looks, I promise", I say reassuringly. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Lowering") %>

"Less talking, more doing %Tiffany%. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish" I state. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Lowering") %>

She looks away from me and down at the edge of the roof, then slowly nods her head. "Ok, good. <i>Carefully</i> climb off the edge, then hang onto it, and I'll grab you, OK?", I say. %Tiffany% precariously lowers herself off the roof. "Mmmmm", she murmurs nervously. I slowly start to lay flat on the roof. "It's alright, I'm right here. Just hang on tight, it's slippery", I remark. "Ok, grab me, grab me now!", she squeaks. "I got you, I got you", I say, as I crawl forward and grab her by the wrists. "Alright, you need to let go, I've got you. Trust me", I state. She looks up at me, we lock eyes for a moment. I stare, unblinking, trying to convey confidence. She must be buying it because without looking back down, she lets go. "Oof", I let out, as I take her whole body weight. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> "Careful not to drop her!", the stranger remarks. I shoot him a dirty look, then turn my focus back to %Tiffany%. <% } %> [[[Lower %Tiffany% down]|C1P60]]

I start to lower %Tiffany% down, crawling closer to the edge to get her further down. I stop when most of my upper body is hanging off the edge, scared I'll lose my balance. "That's as far as I can go %Tiffany%", I say, as she looks back up at me, hanging over the stairs. "I can swing myself to the top of the stairs", %Tiffany% says. "Yeah, good idea %Tiffany%", I reply. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> "Are you sure that's a good idea?", the stranger asks. I ignore him. <% } %> I brace myself as best I can, then nod. She starts to swing, I slide a little but manage to otherwise stay still. "Let go!", she says, I release my grip and she disappears out of view onto the patio. I wait a moment for her to say something. "You alright %Tiffany%?", I ask. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> "Yeah you good down there?", the stranger adds. <% } %> There's a moment's pause. "I'm alright", she replies. I let out a breath, alright, now to figure out how to get me down there. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> "Can you lower me down?", the stranger asks. "What? No!", I snap back. <% } %> [[[Stand up]|C1P61]]

<% window.story.delayedText(15 * 1000) %> I get back up and step away from the edge. Alright, maybe if- <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> "Shit, watch out!", the stranger shouts. <% } %> "Argh!", I let out. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Haircut")) { %> Something is grabbing my jacket! I spin around to see a walker hand flailing through the window, I instinctively take a few steps back- SHIT, too many steps! I step backward right off the patio roof. <% } else { %> Something is grabbing my hair! I get pulled backward, pain shooting over my scalp. I fall down and the grip releases, looking up, I see a walker hand through the window. I roll out of the way and start to get up- uh oh. \* Creeeeeeak, crack \* My hand, then my arm, then my whole body goes through the patio roof as it collapses inwards. <% } %> <div-#delayed> I feel the strangest sense of relaxation... the air and rain rushing over me as I rapidly approach the ground. But it only lasts a moment. [[[Hit the ground]|C1P61R1]] </div>

<% window.story.redirect("C1P62", 5) %>

<i>"Sarah? Sarah!"</i>, a voice yells, somewhere far away. I groan and start to stir. I'm laying on my side, and there's someone near my face, again... Hopefully it's %Tiffany% here to offer me breakfast again... that would be nice... I squint, my vision is blurry. There's a face, but... it has no eyes? [[[Rub own eyes]|C1P63]]

I move my arm to my face- AH, oh the pain! That was enough to jolt me properly awake. I'm on the ground, laying in large puddle, face to face with a walker who's crawling right towards me. I need to get up. I roll onto my back, pain shoots up my neck, holy crap does it hurt. I try to push myself up, but the pain in my arms is too great, I collapse back down again. I turn my head towards the walker- it's lunging at me! I grab its arms and hold it off, its mangled face snapping its teeth, trying to take a bite out of me. I manage to brace the walker on one arm, pain like I've never felt before radiating from it; I reach down for Sarah's knife with the other arm- oh come on, it's not there! I quickly look around for it- <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "TiffBackstory") == "Killing") { %> \* Splat \* I splutter, the walker just vomited blood or something all over my face! The weight of the walker lifts, I push it off and wipe my face so I can see again. I look at the walker... a knife is stuck square through the middle of its head, with the end poking out of its face just next to one of its eye sockets. I look to my right, %Tiffany% is stood there, hands to her chest, a blood splatter across her face quickly being washed away by the rain. "%Tiffany%...", I start. \* Thunk \* I look over just in time to see a walker fall off the patio roof down onto the ground, with another close behind it. "We need to go", I say back to %Tiffany%. <% } else { %> There, it's just behind me, but out of reach. %Tiffany%, I need %Tiffany%'s help! Where is she? I look for her... there! She's hiding behind a tree near the edge of the garden. "%Tiffany%- help!", I manage to shout. Reluctantly she steps out from behind the tree and approaches. [[Push it off!|C1P63V1]]<br> [[Use the knife!|C1P63V2]]<br> [[Get me the knife!|C1P63V3]] <% } %> [[[Get up]|C1P64]]

I go over to the table, rip the net off one of the clamps, then remove the clamp from the table; it's got some weight to it: perfect. I walk back over to the window. <%= window.story.customRender("F: The window shatters") %>

"Step back %Tiffany%", I say. She shuffles back a few steps, not far enough for my liking; I step in front of her. I take aim, and swing, throwing it at the window. The window shatters, then falls apart, leaving only the frame remaining. A strong gust of wind blows through, and rain starts dripping in. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> "Nicely done", the stranger remarks. <% } %> \*Thud, thud, thud\* I look over my shoulder- walkers! They've made it up the stairs, and they're headed down the hallway towards us. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> The stranger sees them too. "Shit", he mutters. He goes to the window and steps through. Nice of him to wait for us... <% } %> "Time to go %Tiffany%", I say, turning to face her. She looks absolutely miserable, but I can't do anything about that right now. I take her hand again and go back to the window. "Step through, watch your head", I say. %Tiffany% complies, without saying a word. I take one last look over my shoulder... [[[Step through the window]|C1P59V1]]

<% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "TiffBackstory") == "Killing") { %> "Well done %Tiffany%", I say, breathless. She looks a bit shaken. <% } %> I force myself up off the ground, pain screaming from every part of my body. <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "TiffBackstory") == "Killing") { print(`I grab the knife off %Tiffany%, take her hand, and`) } else { print(`I take %Tiffany%'s hand and`) } %> look around: the house is a no-go, which only leaves the way I came in originally, the back wall. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> "Hey, you alright?", the stranger says, coming up from behind us. "Where the hell were you?", I ask. "I had to climb down a drainpipe to get off the roof, I wasn't so keen on your rapid decent option", he replies. I roll my eyes. "We're going over the back wall", I say. "Yeah, alright, good idea", he replies as he starts heading towards it. <% } %> <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Kicked")) { %> I look back at the house. The back door is wide open, and walkers are making their way down the patio steps. Guess that doorstop didn't pose much of an obstacle to them. <% } %> I start towards the back wall, pulling %Tiffany% along behind me. As we get to it, I feel more resistance on my arm from %Tiffany%: she's trying to get me to stop. I comply and face her. "What, what's wrong?", I say quickly, wary of the walkers slowly approaching from our rear. "We have to go back for mom, we can't leave her here with the monsters!", she says, tears again budding in the corners of her big blue eyes. [[I know how you feel|C1P64V1]]<br> [[We will end up dead too|C1P64V2]]<br> [[Now is not the time %Tiffany%!|C1P64V3]]

I painfully drop down on one knee to be level with her. "%Tiffany%, believe me, I know exactly how you are feeling right now, but I need you to be brave like your mom was", I say to her. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Look behind") %>

I painfully drop down on one knee to be level with her, then gentle grab both of her shoulders and look her directly in the eyes. "%Tiffany%, I understand you are processing a lot of emotions right now, but unless you and I get over that wall, you're not going to be alive to process them", I say to her. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Look behind") %>

"%Tiffany%, now is not the time! I'm so, so sorry that your mom is dead, but unless you want to end up just like her, we need to get over this wall.", I say to her. She stares back at me, a lick of anger visible across her face. Shit, this isn't working... I painfully drop down on one knee to be level with her. <%= window.story.customRender("F: Look behind") %>

I look behind her, walkers fast approaching. We really need to get moving. "Look, %Tiffany%, when my sister died, I was a wreck: I didn't know what to do, and it took a long time for me to come to terms with what happened; I'm still processing it to this day", I explain to her. "I know you don't care about anything else in the world at the moment except your mom, but try to understand that your mom died so you could live. Don't let her death be in vain", I say, trying to reason her. We continue to stare at each other, the walkers nearly on us now, rain soaking us both. I can't leave her here, I just can't, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. [[[Pled with %Tiffany%]|C1P65]]

<% window.story.delayedText(27 * 1000, "one"); window.story.delayedText(35 * 1000, "two"); %> "Please, %Tiffany%", I say, exhausted. I look behind her again, scores of walkers are approaching. I'm chilled to the bone thanks to this rain, and barely have the strength to walk; I can't take on those walkers, even with Lucy's knife, nor can I force %Tiffany%. I can't leave her, and she won't leave: so I guess we're both dying here today. I sigh, close my eyes, and lower my head. I can hear the walkers all around us now, their collective drones making an almost musical sound when paired with the sound of the rain... <div-#one> Oof, one of the walkers has grabbed me. Their firm arms wrapped around me, their head on my neck, likely preparing to take a bite... </div> <div-#two> \* Sniffle \* Huh? I open my eyes- it's not a walker, it's %Tiffany%... and she's crying. "I'm sorry", %Tiffany% whispers. I smile. "Don't worry, everything will be alright", I reply softly. [[[Pick %Tiffany% up]|C1P66]] <div-#two>

I muster all my strength and push myself up off my knee. I topple and nearly fall, but manage to recover. Walkers have us mostly surrounded now, the only option is the back wall. I hastily carry %Tiffany% the last few meters to the wall, then stop. "%Tiffany%, I need you to climb to the top of the wall, okay?", I say. "But I'm too small", she replies. "I'm going to give you a boost up, but you need to do the rest", I reply. I look over my shoulder, we only have seconds. "We're only going to get one shot at this, are you ready?", I ask. She takes a deep breath. "Ready", %Tiffany% says. [[[Boost %Tiffany% up]|C1P67]]

I bend my knees, then shove %Tiffany% as high as I can manage. A crippling pain shoots up my back, I don't get her as far as I thought I could. She manages to grab the top of the wall with her little hands. "Good girl %Tiffany%! Now climb!", I exclaim, as I grab her dangling legs and push her up. Between my pushing and her climbing, she is able to lay flat on top of the wall. She spins around and looks back down at me. "Look out!", she screams. I swing around: a walker is reaching out of me, only a meter away. I pull out Lucy's knife and take a swing at the arm. The knife connects, and I manage to take part of the rotting arm off from the rest of the body. The walker is up in my face now. Instinctively, I contract my arm and then swing hard at the walker's head. My hand hits the side of the walker's head; I would imagine that should have hurt, but I'm in so much pain right now, I don't even feel it. The force is enough to knock the walker's jaw away from its head and cause it to stumble into another walker behind it. "Come on!", %Tiffany% shouts from behind me. Walkers are approaching me from all angles: it's now or never. [[[Climb the wall]|C1P68]]

I spin around, and with the last of my strength, jump. I grab the top of the wall and begin to worm my way up. It's slippery from the rain, I feel %Tiffany% grabbing my hoodie trying to help pull me up, but I'm far too heavy for her. Halfway up I feel hands grabbing at my feet. Without looking, I kick out and try to use my feet to get a better grip on the wall. Shit- one of the walkers has grabbed my leg! [[[Push against walker]|C1P69]]

<% window.story.delayedText(25 * 1000) %> I lean back slightly and push myself up using the walker as a stepping stone. I swing myself up, past %Tiffany%, and over onto the other side. I land awkwardly and fall to the ground. %Tiffany% jumps down and lands gracefully beside me. I lay for a moment; even though every inch of my body is screaming in pain, I manage to let a little chuckle out. "Holy shit", I say. "Swear", %Tiffany% replies; I can hear the grin in her voice. <% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { %> "Hey, what took you guys so long?", the stranger says, walking over. <% } %> <div-#delayed> "So, what do we do now?", she asks. [[Continue|C1 End]] </div>

<% window.story.delayedText(2000, "one", 500); window.story.delayedText(5000, "two", 500); window.story.delayedText(8000, "three", 500); %> <div-#one> <h1>Chapter One</h1> </div> <div-#two> <h3>Poor Choices</h3> </div> <div-#three> [[Continue|C1 Achievements]] </div>

<% window.story.loadStats() %> <span#statsLoading>Loading...</span> <div-#statsContainer></div> [[Continue|C1 Credits]]

<img.titleImage> <span>Loading Save...</span>

<% window.story.loadAchievements() %> <span#achievementsLoading>Loading...</span> <div-#achievementsContainer> <span#achievementsCounter></span> <hr> </div> [[Continue|C1 Statistics]]

<%= window.story.customRender("Credits") %> [[Continue|C2 Intro]]

We exit the room and go to the end of the hallway, there's a games room of sorts. There's a table tennis table in the middle of the open space, a sofa and TV in the corner, and there's also a large circular window: that's where the light was coming from.

I go over to the window and take a closer look; the rain outside is really heavy now, it's hard to see more than a few meters. On the other side of the window is the patio roof, that might be our ticket out of here, if I can find a way to get this window open... \*Creak creak, creak, creak creak\* The stairs behind us, no time to waste. I look at the window frame, it doesn't look like it was designed to be opened<% if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Kicked")) { print(", but that's alright, I'm already a window opening expert") } %>... <% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "Soap")) { %> I feel around in my pockets for anything useful... [[[Use Soap Bar]|C1P58V11]] <% } else { %> I look around for something to break the glass with... The table tennis table has a clamp on either side holding the net up, they look pretty solid. [[[Use Clamp]|C1P58V12]] <% } %>

<%= window.story.customRender("F: Games Room") %> <div#strangerAlive></div> <script> // Using script tags here instead of Underscore templates because you can't use if statements and a render in Interpolation tags if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "StrangerDied")) { $("#strangerAlive").replaceWith(window.story.customRender("F: Stranger Alive")); } </script> <%= window.story.customRender("F: The window") %>

<% if (window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "LucySavesStranger")) { %> Charles is standing next to the window. He turns around and faces us. "Hey, are you guys OK? Where's that lady?", he asks. I shake my head slowly. "Oh shit, for real? But she was like, totally badass five seconds ago!", he says. "I'm like, really sorry for your loss, she seemed really chill", he adds. Who speaks like that anymore? "Thanks... we need to get out of here, any ideas?", I ask. "Yeah totally; I had a look around up here, but there's no way out. The only thing is this window, but I can't find a way to open it", he replies. <% } else if (!window.story.getChoice("Chapter1", "SaveStranger")) { %> The stranger is standing next to the window. Oh boy, am I going to give this shithead a piece of my mind. "Are you proud of yourself, huh? Your little performance out there, got Lucy killed!", I shout angrily. He spins around to face me, his face already red with anger; clearly, he's ready for round two as well. "If you had the balls to come outside and help, maybe things would have been different, had you considered that bitch?", he retorts. "What fuckin' fantasy land do you live in where you expect strangers to risk their lives for you? Strangers with children to look after, no less?!" "Children?! What children?", he replies, sounding like I've caught him off guard. We stand for a moment, then he bends his head and takes a step to his side to see around me. %Tiffany% has been hiding behind me this whole time. He leans back again. "That lady... was she her-", he starts. "Yes, and now she's dead, no thanks to you", I grumble, cutting him off. "I- I didn't know", he stumbles. "Save it. We need to get out of here", I reply. "Yeah... right. I had a look around up here, but there's no way out. The only thing is this window, but I can't find a way to open it", he says. <% } %>

"Push this thing off me %Tiffany%!", I shout. She slowly approaches from the side, then takes a bit of a run-up and with both hands stretched outwards, pushes the walker off me. It rolls one and lands on its back, it immediately starts to get up again. I crawl back towards the knife, then pick it up. The walker is nearly on my again, it lunges, I put the knife clean between its eyes, or rather, where its eyes should have been. The walker goes limp and flops to the ground. [[[Get up]|C1P64]]

"Use the knife %Tiffany%!", I shout, pointing to it with my free hand. She goes around behind me out of sight, then comes back over and stands off to my side. "What do I do with it?", she shouts. "Stab it %Tiffany%, in the head! The head!", I reply frantically; I can't hold this thing for much longer. %Tiffany% comes right up next to the walker and I, raises the knife almost comically high above her head, then brings it down. \* Splat \* Walker bits get all over my face, %Tiffany% steps back, the walker goes limp and I push it off. I reach over and pull the knife out of the back of its head. [[[Get up]|C1P64]]

"Get me the knife %Tiffany%!", I shout, pointing to it with my free hand. She goes around behind me out of sight, then comes back over and stands over me, nerviosuly holding out the knife. If I grab it like that I'm going to cut myself, no time to muck around. I grab %Tiffany%'s hand with my free hand and pull the knife and her along with it the last few inches to the walker's head. \* Splat \* Walker bits get all over my face, I let go of %Tiffany%'s hand and she steps back out of the way, the walker, knife still in it’s head, goes limp, and I push it off. I reach over and pull the knife out of its face. [[[Get up]|C1P64]]

### Chapter Two <% window.story.delayedText(4000, "one", 0); window.story.delayedText(6000, "two"); %> <div-#one><h1>Coming Soon</h1></div> <div-#two> Enjoyed the story? Be sure to leave a rating and comment! <a class="normalLink" href="https://discord.gg/jNgAEjW7gd" target="_blank">Join our Discord</a> to be informed when Chapter Two is released. <% if (window.story.saving) { %> When Chapter Two is released, you can use this save slot (#<% print (window.story.saveSlot) %>) to continue where you left off. <% } %> [[Return the Main Menu|Title Screen]] </div>

<img.titleImage> <%= window.story.customRender("Settings") %> <a0 onclick="window.story.pauseMenu()">Resume</a>

<div#titleButton> <p>Game Version: v<% print(window.story.version) %></p> <a onclick="window.story.toggleDebug()">Toggle Debug Mode<br><span.smaller>(Recommended for Mobile Users)</span></a> <a onclick="window.story.toggleFont()">Toggle Font</a> <a onclick="window.story.toggleAchievements()">Toggle Achievements</a> </div>